Forcing tenants to pay rent online

[John Romero]

I was thinking of writing into my lease that tenants are required to pay rent through an online rent collection website. Can I legally require new tenants to pay rent online and that no checks/cash will be accepted?

[Joel Owens]

I remember before an investor was burned using pay rents online.

They had it where a tenant could pay and also could deposit money or wire money in.

What happened is the tenant sent in 300 instead of the 600 owed into the landlord's account.The tenant argued in court that the landlord accepted partial payment and was going to work with them on an arrangement.The judge sided with the tenant.

So the moral of the story if you are going to do this is only a set amount is allowed to be paid with no partials.If they try a partial it should reject the payment.

Of course you can work out a payment with them IF YOU want to but you want to control that and not the tenant.

On paying cash when I was 17 I was running low on cash.I went to the gas station at night and put about 11 in gas in the car.

I had the money in coins quarters,dimes,nickels and pennies.It wasn't rolled.The gas station employee refused the money and I told him he had to take it. He said he did not and I had to call someone to bring cash or was going to call Police.

I told him I will call Police for him and save him the trouble.The Police told him over the phone that the money is legal tender and he has to accept it.

He wasn't happy but took the money......