What to Do if You Can’t Pay Rent: 9 Steps to Take Plus Tips for What Not to Do

It’s the first of the month, your rent is due, and your stomach drops—the money just isn’t there. You’re not alone, and it’s not the end of the road. The most important thing you can do right now is talk to your landlord before you panic or move out. Many landlords are more flexible than you think if you’re honest about what’s going on.

From there, you’ve got options. Whether it’s pulling forward your next paycheck, picking up a side gig, or finding short-term rental assistance, there are ways to get through this month without spiraling into payday loans or eviction.

Below, we’ll walk through nine practical steps you can take right now—starting with the least harmful to your finances and moving toward last-resort options—plus some mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

1. 9 things to do when you can’t pay rent
   1. 1. Talk to your landlord
   2. 2. Accelerate a deposit
   3. 3. Sell unused items
   4. 4. Pick up gig work
   5. 5. Appeal to family and friends
   6. 6. Look for rent assistance
   7. 7. Take out a 401(k) loan
   8. 8. Ask to pay with a credit card
   9. 9. Understand your rights
2. What not to do when you can’t pay rent
   1. Take out a payday loan
   2. Move out too soon
3. Tips for renters who are struggling with payments

9 things to do when you can’t pay rent

Here are nine steps to help you cover this month’s rent. The list starts with the options that are least likely to harm your finances and ends with those that carry more risk if you have no other choice.

1. Talk to your landlord

The first thing everyone should do when they can’t pay rent is talk to their landlord. No matter how uncomfortable the conversation may be, don’t ignore the problem. Your landlord is more likely to work with you if you are honest and upfront.

Request an extension and, if possible, offer partial payment until you are able to cover the balance. Assuming it doesn’t become a regular habit, many landlords are willing to accommodate such requests, although you may be charged a late fee.

2. Accelerate a deposit

Perhaps, it’s just a matter of timing. Maybe your rent is due on the first, but you don’t get paid until the third. In that case, you may be able to accelerate a paycheck or a deposit.

Some employers offer payroll or salary advances, in which they will pay you early. Technically a short-term loan, these advances can then be paid back on your regular payday.

Your company might also offer an earned wage access program, which allows you to access wages you’ve already earned before payday. Check with your human resources office to see if your employer offers any of these options.

If not, some banks and credit unions have an early direct deposit feature. This allows pending ACHs—such as directly deposited payroll—to become eligible for withdraw up to two days early. Some institutions charge a fee for this service while others do not.

3. Sell unused items

Make some quick cash by selling items you no longer want or need using online classified sites such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

Avoid scams by declining mobile payments from people you don’t know and refusing to cash checks—particularly those for more than the purchase price. If posting an item for sale locally, be wary of anyone who wants you to ship your item.

When it comes time to complete a transaction, arrange to meet in a safe, public spot such as your local city hall or police station lobby.

4. Pick up gig work

Gig work is another way to make quick money. For instance, delivery apps such as Shipt and DoorDash allow eligible users to withdraw their earnings immediately.

You could also go old-school and look for people who need services such as babysitting, dog-walking, or lawn care. These are all jobs that can result in immediate cash payments. If you use the Nextdoor app, you may be able to connect there with neighbors in need of help.

5. Appeal to family and friends

Asking family or friends to spot you money for rent may not sound appealing, but unless you have asked for help repeatedly, many people are happy to help a loved one. Be sure to clearly convey when and how you will pay back this money.

6. Look for rent assistance

Not everyone has family or friends who are willing and able to help. In that case, turn to state, local, and nonprofit organizations for assistance.

In many areas, you can call 2-1-1 to be connected to resources where you live. The website 211.org can also direct you to housing assistance programs. However, be aware that many programs have limited funds, and eligibility may be restricted to those who meet certain income and employment criteria.

7. Take out a 401(k) loan

If you have a vested balance in your workplace 401(k) account, that is another option for quick cash. These accounts are meant for retirement savings, but many employers allow loans to be taken from them.

Processing time for these loans can range from a few days to a few weeks depending on factors such as whether you receive a direct deposit payment or a check. There is no credit check required for a 401(k) loan, and while interest is charged, that money is deposited into your retirement savings account.

8. Ask to pay with a credit card

This option is best left as a last resort unless you have a low or zero-interest APR credit card. Otherwise, you could find yourself paying a significant amount of interest.

If your landlord doesn’t accept credit card payments, you may be able to request a cash advance from your card. But again, you are likely going to be charged a high interest rate. Be sure to pay off the card balance as soon as you have the money to do so.

9. Understand your rights

If none of these options work for you, you could find yourself facing eviction. However, don’t prematurely leave your home.

By law, landlords need to go through a formal eviction process that could take weeks to months. Take that time to search for affordable housing or make other living arrangements.

Eviction laws and timelines vary by state. The website iPropertyManagement outlines the process in each state.

What not to do when you can’t pay rent

When you’re short on rent money, it’s easy to feel desperate and make quick decisions just to get the stress off your back. However, some choices can dig deeper holes and make things harder in the long run. Here are the pitfalls to avoid so you don’t turn a tough month into an even bigger financial crisis.

Take out a payday loan

These loans may seem like an easy solution to your problem, but they can quickly turn into a cycle of continuous loans at sky-high interest rates. It would be better to take out an emergency loan or use a cash advance app.

For instance, one of our top choices for a cash advance, EarnIn, offers a fee-free $100 instant advance to new users and up to $750 per pay period for a small fee. If you can cover some of your rent but not all, this bit of an advance could help you cobble together the funds you need.

Move out too soon

Panicking and leaving immediately without a plan can take a bad situation and make it worse. Even if you are going to be evicted, stay put until you are legally required to leave and use that time to look for stable housing elsewhere.

Tips for renters who are struggling with payments

Once you have addressed the immediate problem of this month’s payment, you may need to take steps to avoid a repeat situation.

If you are at risk of being unable to pay your rent in the future, consider one of the following strategies:

• Find a roommate who can help split rent payments.
• Look for less expensive housing options, which may mean having to move to a new neighborhood.
• Consider finding a second job or side gig that will consistently provide you with additional income.
• Use an app like Flex which offers a line of credit that makes it possible to split your rent into two payments each month.

Don’t be embarrassed if you can’t pay rent. It’s a common problem, but it’s also one you want to address. If you dread the start of each month, use the options above to get current on this month’s rent and then look for ways to avoid falling behind in the future.