Receiving rent payment: best practices for landlords
Receiving rental payment is much more than a simple administrative formality — it is the beating heart of any real estate investment. This regular income allows you to repay your mortgage, maintain the property, and ultimately generate a true positive cash flow. However, between payment delays, transfer errors, or unpaid rents, reality can sometimes prove to be more complex.
For the landlord, ensuring the proper receipt of rents is therefore a major issue: it is both about preserving the property’s profitability and securing daily management. The key? A preventive and structured approach that combines administrative rigor, modern tools, and a relationship of trust with the tenant.
Preparing the ground: the basics of a reliable and stress-free rent payment
Use the official residential lease template compliant with the ALUR law, and add a specific clause regarding the payment method for rents to avoid any future disputes.
Choose the right payment method for the rent
The choice of the rent payment method is not trivial: it directly influences the regularity of collections, ease of management, and traceability of financial flows. As a landlord, you must opt for a solution that is both practical, secure, and suitable for your organization.
Direct debit SEPA: stability and automation
This is the most reliable and fluid method. With the direct debit SEPA, the rent is directly debited from the tenant's account on a fixed date each month. This payment method offers perfect regularity, with no risk of forgetting, while ensuring total traceability of collections. It particularly appeals to landlords who seek stable cash flow and simplified management, without manual intervention.
Bank transfer: reliability and autonomy
The bank transfer is currently the most common solution. Simple and secure, it suits tenants who are used to digital tools. This payment method guarantees a clear trace in case of disputes and prevents loss or theft issues.
However, it relies on the tenant's regularity, who must make the transfer each month. To minimize forgetfulness, it is advisable to set a precise due date in the lease and encourage the establishment of a standing order.
Bank check: an option to be handled with caution
Although still used, the check has several limitations: sending delays, risk of loss, lack of automation, and longer processing times. It may be suitable in a relationship of trust or for occasional rentals, but it remains poorly adapted to professional or remote property management. If you accept this payment method, deposit the checks promptly and systematically provide a rent receipt, as required by law.
Cash payment: a strictly regulated method
Payment of rent in cash is only allowed up to €1,000, in accordance with Article L112-6 of the Monetary and Financial Code. The landlord must then provide a signed receipt to the tenant with each payment. This payment method, rare and inconvenient, carries increased risks of disputes, errors, or theft. It is reserved for very specific cases, such as for tenants without a bank account.
Managing the tenant relationship: communication and transparency for regularity
Even with the best tools, the key to serene property management remains the quality of communication between the landlord and the tenant. A clear, professional, and caring relationship helps avoid most delays or misunderstandings related to rent payment.
The rent due notice: a useful and preventive reminder
The due notice is a document—often sent by email—that precedes the rent payment date. It summarizes the amount of rent and charges, the payment deadline, as well as the bank details of the owner. While it is not mandatory, it constitutes an excellent communication and prevention tool. It helps the tenant anticipate their payment and establishes a professional framework in the relationship. Send the due notice a few days before the scheduled date to create a reassuring routine and avoid forgetfulness.
The rent receipt: a legal proof and a mark of trust
The rent receipt is a key document in property management. It certifies that the tenant has paid the full rent and charges for a given period. The landlord is obliged to provide it free of charge as soon as the payment is fully made. It must indicate the amount paid, the relevant period, the date of receipt, and the identities of the landlord and the tenant.
Issuing a clear and regular receipt limits potential disputes and strengthens trust. It can also serve as an administrative proof for the tenant (CAF, new rental, loan application, etc.).
The payment certificate: a periodic but useful document
Less frequent, the rent payment certificate is sometimes requested by the tenant for administrative procedures (bank, housing aid, relocation…). It summarizes the payment history and proves the good faith of the tenant.
It is a simple tool to maintain financial transparency and strengthen the relationship of trust.
Practical advice: whether you manage a single property or an entire rental property portfolio, centralize all your documents (due notices, receipts, certificates) in a dedicated digital space. You will save time and clarity.
Manage delays and unpaid invoices: react effectively and maintain the relationship
Even with a good tenant selection, delays or non-payments can occur. The key is to react quickly, but with method and tact. Good management of these situations prevents the problem from dragging on and protects the profitability of your rental investment.
The formal notice: the formal step in case of non-payment
If the tenant does not regularize despite reminders, it is necessary to formalize the procedure with a formal notice to pay.
This registered letter must:
remind the amount due and the relevant deadlines,
mention the deadline for regularization (generally 8 to 15 days),
and specify the possible consequences in case of inaction (termination of the lease, litigation, etc.).
If you have taken out rent default insurance (GLI), this step is essential before any activation of the guarantee.
Directing the tenant towards housing assistance
When a tenant is facing financial difficulty, they can benefit from aid programs. Encourage them to turn to the CAF to check their rights to APL, to Action Logement to activate the Visale guarantee, or to local associations specialized in the prevention of unpaid rents.
A listening landlord, who prioritizes finding solutions, maximizes their chances of recovering the owed rents while maintaining a peaceful relationship.
Legal remedies and protections for the landlord
If the situation worsens, several remedies are provided by law. You can appoint a bailiff to deliver a demand to pay, bring the case to the judicial court to request the termination of the lease, or activate your rent default insurance (GLI) to cover losses and legal fees. These procedures can be lengthy, but they provide solid legal protection for the landlord.
If you lack time or experience, delegating to a property management agency allows for effective handling of follow-ups, procedures, and insurance, while preserving your peace of mind.
Conclusion: The keys to securing your rents
Receiving rent payments is not just a simple monthly formality — it is the central pillar of the profitability and stability of any rental investment. A landlord who anticipates, structures, and communicates methodically transforms this obligation into a smooth, transparent, and serene process.
Everything rests on three essential foundations:
A rigorous preparation, starting from the tenant selection and the drafting of the lease, to reduce risks at the source.
Modern and reliable tools, such as direct debit, rental management platforms, or the systematic issuance of receipts.
A reactive and human management, focused on communication and trust, in order to prevent delays and avoid unnecessary tensions.
By combining these levers, you secure your monthly income while strengthening the long-term value of your real estate assets.
And if you desire total peace of mind, entrusting the management to a specialized agency remains the most serene option: it handles payments, reminders, and ensures compliance with legal requirements at every step, so that your investment remains primarily a pleasure — and not a source of stress.
FAQ – The most frequently asked questions about rent payment
What to do if my tenant does not pay their rent on the due date?
Start with a friendly reminder, as most delays are temporary. If the payment does not occur within a few days, send a registered letter with a formal notice to pay, mentioning the amount due and the deadline to rectify. If the situation persists, contact a bailiff to initiate legal proceedings. And if you have rent guarantee insurance (GLI), report the claim quickly to activate the guarantee.
Can I refuse a cash or check payment?
Yes, absolutely. As a landlord, you can impose the payment method mentioned in the lease (bank transfer or direct debit, for example). Cash payments are only allowed up to €1,000, but it is discouraged because it is hard to trace. As for checks, they are valid but less practical: prefer automatic transfers, which are safer and more regular.
Am I obliged to provide a rent receipt?
Yes, as soon as the tenant has paid the full rent and charges, you must provide them with a free receipt (article 21 of the law of July 6, 1989). It serves as proof of payment and protects both the tenant and the landlord. In case of partial payment, a payment certificate is sufficient, but it does not replace the full receipt.
How to avoid long-term rent arrears?
Prevention is your best ally. Carefully select your tenant (stable income, solid guarantees), sign a clear lease, and set up automated payments. Also, take out rent guarantee insurance (GLI) or opt for the Visale guarantee if the tenant's profile allows it. These measures protect your income and spare you long procedures.
What is the best way to manage payments when owning multiple properties?
In this case, digitization becomes essential. Use a rental management platform or entrust your properties to a specialized agency. These tools centralize collections, automatically send receipts, and remind tenants in case of delay. The result: more visibility on your financial flows, less stress, and a better-controlled rental profitability.
Also discover
