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How to Set Up Your Bilt 2.0 Card for Rent Payments: Complete Guide
July 1, 2025
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The Bilt 2.0 card has officially launched, bringing significant changes to how renters earn rewards on their housing payments. If you're wondering how to set up your new Bilt card for rent, or if you're completely new to earning points on rent, our guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
The New Bilt 2.0 Card Lineup
Bilt 2.0 replaces the single legacy card with three distinct cards, all of which support earning rewards on rent payments:
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["22393", "22393", "22391"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Rewards on Rent and Mortgage Payments", "Accelerated Points", "Rewards on Rent and Mortgage Payments"]} ]]
Important: Rent payment mechanics are the same across all Bilt cards. The difference is how much you can earn and which benefits you unlock based on your card tier and monthly spending.
What's Changed with Bilt 2.0 Rent Payments?
Before diving into the setup process, it's important to understand how Bilt 2.0 processes rent payments differently from the original Bilt 1.0 card.
The New ACH Payment System
When you activated your Bilt 2.0 card, you were prompted to link your checking account to "Pay rent and mortgage with no preset limit." This authorized Bilt to automatically debit rent payments directly from your bank account via ACH (automated clearing house) transfer.
This is a major departure from Bilt 1.0, which charged rent to your credit line. Previously, cardholders could "float" rent costs and defer payment until their statement was due. Now, rent payments are pulled directly from your linked checking account when you submit payment.
What this means for you: Make sure your full rent amount is available in your checking account on rent day. You can no longer split payments based on your paycheck schedule unless you manually submit multiple payments.
New Rewards Structure Options
Bilt 2.0 also introduced flexibility in how you earn rewards on rent. When activating your card, you chose between:
- Earning 4% Bilt Cash on all purchases (but no points on rent)
- Earning up to 1.25 points per dollar on rent (based on your monthly non-housing spending)
Don't worry - you can switch between these options each month based on your spending patterns.
Setting Up Rent Payments: Bilt Alliance Properties
If your apartment or property management company is part of the Bilt Alliance network, setup is straightforward.
Step-by-Step for Alliance Properties
- Check your email for instructions from Bilt about re-setting up autopay for the 2.0 transition
- Log into your Bilt account and navigate to rent payment settings
- Confirm your payment details:
- Payment method (your linked checking account)
- Payment day (typically the 1st of each month)
- Autopay amount
- Press "Confirm autopay"
That's it! Your rent will automatically be processed through your Bilt 2.0 card each month, earning you points while the payment is deducted from your checking account.
What You'll See
When you view your payment confirmation, you'll notice:
- Your Bilt card is processing the payment
- The amount will be pulled from your linked checking account
- No 3% transaction fee will be charged (a key benefit of Alliance properties)
- Points earned per dollar will be displayed
Setting Up Rent Payments: Non-Alliance Properties
If you rent from a landlord or property management company outside the Bilt Alliance, you'll use Bilt's BillPay for Home feature. This applies to both existing Bilt 1.0 users and brand-new cardholders.
Step-by-Step for Non-Alliance Properties
- Navigate to the "Home" tab in your Bilt Rewards account
- Click "Get Started" under BillPay for Home
- Select your rent payment method:
- Online rent payment portal
- Check
- Venmo
- Other / not listed
Option 1: Online Rent Payment Portal
If you pay rent through your landlord's online portal:
- Bilt will provide you with a routing number and account number
- Enter these details in your landlord's payment portal (it will appear as "Rent Rewards Account")
- Submit your rent payment through your landlord's portal as usual
- Bilt will automatically debit your linked checking account and credit your points
Pro tip: Save the payment instructions in your Bilt account by going to "Home" > "View payment instructions" for easy reference.
Option 2: Check Payment
If your landlord requires check payments:
- Provide your monthly rent amount
- Enter the check payment details
- Add your landlord's mailing address
- Choose your preferred delivery method
- Optionally enroll in autopay for automatic monthly checks
Option 3: Venmo
If you pay rent via Venmo:
- Link your Venmo account to Bilt
- Select a backup payment method
- Search for your landlord using their phone number
- Enter your monthly rent amount
- Confirm autopay settings (optional)
Maximizing Your Bilt Rent Rewards
Now that you've set up rent payments, here's how to get the most value:
1. Choose the Right Rewards Structure
- Select the 1.25 points per dollar on rent if you spend enough on non-housing purchases to hit the earning tiers
- Choose 4% Bilt Cash on all purchases if you prefer simpler cashback rewards or don't spend much beyond rent
You can change this selection monthly, so experiment to see which works best for your spending habits.
2. Time Your Rent Payment Strategically
Since rent is now debited directly from your checking account, plan your payment timing around:
- Your paycheck schedule
- Other bill due dates
- Any transfers between accounts
3. Track Your Bilt Alliance Status
Properties within the Bilt Alliance don't charge the typical 3% transaction fee that many landlords impose on credit card payments. If you're apartment hunting, consider asking if properties participate in Bilt Alliance. It could save you hundreds of dollars annually.
4. Stack Rewards with Kudos
Want to maximize rewards beyond just rent? Use Kudos alongside your Bilt card to:
- Get real-time recommendations on which card to use for every purchase
- Earn Kudos Boost cashback at 15,000+ merchants
- Track all your credit card benefits in one place
- Never miss out on card-linked offers from Bilt and your other cards
Sign up for Kudos, free to optimize your entire wallet, not just your rent payment.
Common Bilt 2.0 Rent Payment Questions
Can I still "float" my rent payment like I did with Bilt 1.0?
No. Rent payments are now debited directly from your checking account via ACH, not charged to your credit line.
What if I don't have enough money in my account on rent day?
Your payment will fail, and you may be charged a returned payment fee by your landlord. Always ensure sufficient funds are available before your scheduled rent payment date.
Can I change my rewards structure after activation?
Yes! You can switch between earning 4% Bilt Cash or up to 1.25 points per dollar on rent each month.
Do I earn points immediately?
Points typically post within a few days after your rent payment processes successfully.
What if my landlord isn't in the Bilt Alliance?
You can still earn rewards using BillPay for Home. You'll just need to provide Bilt's routing and account numbers to your landlord's payment system.
Bottom Line
Setting up your Bilt 2.0 card for rent payments is relatively straightforward, whether you're in a Bilt Alliance property or paying rent independently. The key changes to remember:
✅ Rent is now debited directly from your checking account (not your credit line)
✅ You can choose between 4% Bilt Cash or up to 1.25 points per dollar on rent
✅ Alliance properties don't charge transaction fees
✅ You'll need to provide routing/account numbers for non-Alliance properties
Take time to set up your payment method correctly before rent day to ensure a smooth payment process and avoid any late fees. Always verify payment details directly with Bilt and your landlord before making rent payments.
Ready to optimize your entire credit card strategy? Get Kudos free to maximize rewards across all your cards, not just your Bilt card.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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