Build your credit with online rent payments
When you use online rent payments and rent reporting from Zillow, you can:
- Schedule auto pay and never miss a due date
- Build your credit with every on-time rent payment
Convenient, free, and secure rent payment options.
Every on-time payment helps build your credit
With online rent payments and rent reporting with Zillow, we report every on-time payment to Experian and Equifax so you can build your credit history. Consistent, positive credit history can lead to a higher credit score and may make it easier to qualify for your next rental or a future loan.
Free and flexible
Enjoy zero fees when you pay with a direct bank transfer.
Learn about more ways to pay.
Hassle-free auto pay
Say goodbye to late fees and set-up automatic payments from virtually anywhere.
Security you can trust
We've partnered with Stripe and Plaid to streamline rent payment processing, ensuring bank-grade security and encryption to safeguard your sensitive information.
Setting up online payments and rent reporting is easy
Request an invitation
Ask your landlord to set up Zillow rent payments. Click get started and we'll send an email on your behalf.
Your landlord sets up an account
We’ll guide your landlord through the setup process. Once completed, you will receive an invite from us on their behalf.
Verify, schedule, and enroll
Simply verify your renter information, schedule a payment, and opt-in to rent reporting.
Start building your credit with next month’s rent
Enjoy free online payments and the credit building benefits of Zillow rent reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Still looking for something? We’ve got answers.
- How do I set-up online rent payments?
The first step is for your landlord to invite you to pay rent on Zillow. You can send a request to your landlord to invite you here. When you get the email invitation from your landlord, click Get Started.
- What forms of payment can I use and are there any fees?
You can pay your rent and other rent-related charges by ACH (direct bank transfer), debit or credit card. ACH payments are free. There is a flat fee to pay by debit card ($9.95 for rent and $4.95 for other rent-related charges) and a percentage fee of 2.95% when using a credit card.
If paying by credit or debit card, you can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express cards.- How does rent reporting work?
Once you enroll in rent reporting through Zillow payments, the following will happen:
- We’ll identify on-time payments made on our platform (within 30 days of the due date)
- We’ll report those to Experian and Equifax
- A new tradeline will mark each on-time payment as a positive credit action
- We’ll continue reporting your payments monthly as long as you’re enrolled or until your payment term ends
Why should I report on my rent?
If you pay your rent on time every month, reporting your rent to credit bureaus adds positive payment behavior to your credit report.
Payments will no longer be reported if you opt-out of the service, you fail to make a payment for three consecutive months, or if your landlord stops accepting Zillow payments. Zillow reserves the right to terminate this service at any time, see our Terms Of Use. If you choose to opt-out of the service, you can do so at any time.
What happens if a payment is late?
Late rent payments won’t be reported to Experian or Equifax via Zillow payments. However, if you want to build positive credit history the best chance of building your credit improving your credit score, it’s important to consistently pay rent on time so those rent payments can be reported each month.
Will I see a change in my credit score?
Your credit score depends on a number of factors that include, for example, your credit utilization ratio, the mix of credit you currently have open, and your payment history. So, while paying rent on time and having it reported to credit bureaus can make a positive impact on your credit score, it will only ever be one of many factors that affect your credit score.
Please allow at least 30 days for payments to appear on your credit report (FICO® 9/XD/10/10T and VantageScore® 3.0/4.0) once you begin reporting rent payments.
What information of mine is Zillow sharing with Experian and Equifax?
To verify your identity and enable reporting of your on-time rent payments, the following data is shared monthly via secure/encrypted systems:
- Your identifying data (name, address, date of birth)
- Your lease data (street address, city, state, zip)
- Your payment data (account open date, payment amount due, and amount paid)
I already have great credit. Do I need this?
Even renters with excellent credit can benefit from adding positive payment history to their credit profile. In addition to credit score, potential lenders often look at open tradelines and payment history. If you consistently pay your rent on time, it’s one more indication to a potential lender that you are likely to repay your loan on time.
- Can I split my rent payment with my roommate(s)?
Our service is set up so that one primary tenant makes the full rent payment each month. To split your rent with your roommate(s), please arrange it with them offline.
- How does Zillow use my financial information?
We take the security of our users’ information seriously. We intentionally limit the amount of sensitive data we collect, and we use multiple layers of security to keep your data safe. Additionally, we continually review and update our practices to stay on top of evolving threats.
Zillow does not collect your bank account information. For more details on the types of information that Zillow stores, please see our Privacy Policy. For more information about how our third-party payment processors store and use your financial information, please see our Rental User Terms.
- I’m a landlord. How do I provide rent reporting services for my tenants?
Rent reporting is a free service, available to any renter who pays rent using Zillow payments. You can provide access to online rent payments and rent reporting by signing up for Zillow Rental Manager and setting up rent payments for your renter. Once your renter opts into the service, payments will begin being reported for that lease term. There’s no cost to you for using Zillow payments and the service is free for your renter if they pay with direct bank transfer. Get started here.
