ACH vs. card payments: what rent collection really costs

Every payment method has a cost — in fees, in time, or in failed-payment headaches. Here's how they compare.

The trade-offs

• ACH: cheapest, slower to settle, occasional NSF returns
• Cards: instant, higher fees, best passed to the payer
• Cash/check: hidden costs in time and record-keeping

For recurring rent, ACH wins on cost. Offer cards as a convenience, with the fee shown up front.