How to Pay Rent When You Can't Afford It

How to Pay Rent When You Can’t Afford It

Consider free or low-cost aid before turning to high-interest avenues if you're struggling to pay your landlord.

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Rent prices have increased in recent months, with the median monthly asking rent in the U.S. at $1,790 in July, according to a recent Redfin analysis of both single-family and multifamily housing. And while it’s a popular guideline to spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent, that’s not realistic for everyone. If you are scrambling to make rent, consider some of the following steps to hopefully help ease the strain.

Explore free options first

If you are currently struggling to pay your rent, the first step is to reevaluate your budget and "find" money where you can. Cut back on nonessential expenses — like multiple streaming services or eating out — lower 401(k) contributions, reach out to creditors for assistance and seek low-income programs for food and utilities. Here are some options that cost nothing or close to it: Talk to your landlord. Explain your situation and ask for more time to pay, an installment plan and/or waived late fees. Your landlord might be willing to help, especially if you have a history of paying on time. Whatever terms are negotiated, get them in writing. Talk to your landlord. Tap into assistance programs. Applying for unemployment or other assistance programs may take time, but it can certainly be worth it. Look into state and local organizations offering rental payment help. The National Multifamily Housing Council's list of resources for renters may also be of use. Tap into assistance programs. Call 211. Local nonprofits and religious organizations may offer rental assistance. United Way helps access those services upon calling 211. Call 211. Ask for help. Loved ones might be willing to help, and community support can be a literal lifesaver. Consider joining online community groups in your neighborhood or city or searching for mutual aid groups that provide financial assistance for things like housing and food. Ask for help. Modify living arrangements. If your lease permits, consider subletting your apartment or a room. Or move in with a loved one and help each other by divvying up rent costs. Of course, moving may come with its own expenses, and if you're under contract, you'll have to weigh the cost of breaking your lease. Again, talk to your landlord to see what’s negotiable. Modify living arrangements. Seek advice. A credit counselor can review your finances for potential savings toward rent. And if you’ve tried to work out an arrangement with your landlord or rental agency but have been unsuccessful, tenant unions in your area can help you learn your rights as a tenant. Seek advice.

Lean on investments or savings, if you have them

Typically, it isn't advisable to dip into money that's meant for your future, but these aren't typical times. When an emergency threatens to evict you — here and now, in the present — the normal "rules" don't always apply. If you have a taxable brokerage account, you could consider selling stocks. Otherwise, the next potential option might be a withdrawal from a 401(k) or individual retirement account, says Andrew Rosen, a certified financial planner and president of Diversified, a financial planning firm. Again, raiding your retirement funds is not ideal, but in a crisis it may be necessary — and you may be able to mitigate the financial repercussions. In an emergency, a loan on a 401(k) — if available through your employer — avoids penalties, taxes and a credit check. » MORE: Rent price growth still outpacing inflation » MORE: Still, think hard before going this route. If you are truly drowning in debt and rent is just one of many financial obligations you're unable to meet, you may want to consider other options.“In most cases, your retirement savings are safe if you file for bankruptcy. Employer plans like 401(k)s are generally fully protected, while IRAs and Roth IRAs are covered up to a very high limit. The main exceptions are inherited accounts or money you’ve already taken out,” Rosen says.

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Choose the least expensive high-interest debt

You could look to finance some of your expenses to help cover rent by, say, opening up a low-interest credit card. But without sufficient income or good credit (typically a FICO score of at least 690), you may be left with only high-interest financing options. Consider the following, in order from least to most expensive: Borrow against your existing credit card’s limit. Targeted offers like the Citi Flex Loan and My Chase Loan let you borrow against your card’s credit limit with a fixed interest rate and term. The money is deposited into a bank account without the need for a credit check or origination fee. Borrow against your existing credit card’s limit. Pay rent with your credit card. Some services facilitate rent payments with a credit card, for a price. Plastiq, for instance, will let you charge your rent to your card and will then cut your landlord a check on your behalf, in exchange for a 2.9% processing fee. Weigh the costs of that fee before going this route, and be aware that if you can't pay it back in full within a billing cycle, you'll incur interest on the rent payment at whatever APR your card charges. Pay rent with your credit card. Among your last resorts, consider a cash advance. A cash advance can offer quick cash up to the amount of your available limit, but you'll pay dearly for it in the form of a steep fee and an interest rate that starts accruing the moment you pull the cash from your bank or ATM. Cash advances could also negatively impact your credit score by increasing your credit utilization, a key factor in credit scores. Still, it's a possibility if you need it, and it's likely cheaper than turning to a payday loan, which may not be an option anyway if you are no longer collecting a paycheck. Among your last resorts, consider a cash advance. vance payday loan » MORE: Card issuers are offering cheaper, more convenient ways to access your credit line » MORE: Explore more on About the authors Melissa Lambarena is a senior writer on the credit cards team at NerdWallet. She has enthusiastically covered credit card-related topics for over nine years. Her prior experience includes nine years as a content creator for several publications and websites. Through her work, she aims to help readers extract value from credit cards to meet financial goals like stretching their budget, building credit, traveling to dream destinations and paying off debt. Her articles have been published in The Associated Press, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, USA Today and Yahoo Finance, among others. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Published in Tiffany Lashai Curtis is a former lead writer for the Core Personal Finance team at NerdWallet. She was previously the health writer for Livestrong.com and a freelance writer for publications like Refinery29, Business Insider and MTV News, where she focused on issues that affect marginalized communities. As a wellness facilitator, she has led conversations for organizations like Planned Parenthood and Harvard University. She is based in Philadelphia. How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money How to Lower Your Bills: 45 Ways to Save By Kelsey Sheehy, Laura McMullen, Tiffany Curtis Bill Negotiation: Get a Better Deal on Cable, Internet and More By Tiffany Curtis, Lisa Mulka It’s on You to Figure Out How to Cancel Subscriptions By Tommy Tindall Need Help Paying Bills ASAP? Use This Quick-Help Tool By Liz Weston, CFP®