Can my landlord refuse payment by check?

by **dallen47** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:32 am

My landlord is a friend of mine, but he wants rent payments in cash, trying to hide the extra income I guess. That's not the issue here, the issue is that he doesn't want to accept a check as rental payment. I would rather pay with a check so I have proof of payment and it's easier than driving across town to my bank to withdraw money. I live in Iowa, is there a law stating he must accept a check as payment? I've paid him with a check once before, and it didn't bounce, my checks never do.

by **bellden** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:36 am

"He absolutly can refuse payment by check."

Maybe where you live, but that is not the norm.

A landlord can put in a lease that they only accept cash, money orders, etc ... but if you did not agree to it in writing, they can't just make up conditions as they go along.

I checked Iowa Statutes, and there is no law that says he must accept a check. There is also no law saying that he can refuse a check.

Keep paying by check. He is being unreasonable and doesn't have a legal leg to stand on.

by **torin7** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:46 am

Don't be upset when he doesn't accept your check and charges you a late fee. It's his choice, not yours.

by **caffar** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:54 am

He absolutly can refuse payment by check. I know of rental agencies that only accept money orders.

Your best bet would be to pay him the cash, and have him write you a receipt as your proof of payment. You could also ask to pay by money order (good as cash) and have your receipt that way.

I would like to mention, that he can also refuse to take pennies as another user posted. I would certainly refuse unrolled pennies as payment, and then charge a late fee if the money was not provided by the due date.

by **stephon14** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:59 am

bad move to let him take cash without a recpiet. go to www.findlaws.com to find out your states rental laws. good luck.

by **rheged** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:05 am

yes they can refuse a check, you can pay in money orders that is the same as cash, if he does not accept that give him cash but have him sign something each month to note payment

by **egann** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:12 am

He can refuse payment in any form...Landlords have all kinds of weird rights.What you should do is go get it all in pennies and have them cart them into him unrolled or go to the bank and get it in filipino pesos Next time he will probably settle for any type of payment other than those you offered before..

by **ear** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:16 am

Makes no difference who you are or where you live, anyone can refuse payment by check for any thing or product.

by **napayshni65** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:33 am

Your landlord can demand what ever form of payment he wants. If he wants to make you pay in cash then make him give you a signed receipt. Make sure it's legible so he can't go back later and deny it's his signature.

by **ricard83** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:38 am

It depends on what your rental agreement is as to whether or not he has to take a check. If it states he does not accept checks, then there is no recourse for it. If your rental agreement says he accepts checks for payment then he has to accept a check. Unless, he sends you a letter or has you sign a new agreement stating otherwise.
You can go to a local bank and get a cashier's check or money order so that way you can have a copy of it. Most places charge a small fee for them however. If you do pay him in cash ask for a signed receipt from him so you have future proof that you did pay your rent.

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