Rent-tech platforms sidestepping credit card surcharge ban with new fees and paid ‘memberships’
News Source
•Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:00:57 GMT
📰 What Happened
Online property platforms are finding ways around Australia's new ban on card surcharges. Some are charging renters new fees or pushing them into paid 'memberships'.
The Reserve Bank banned surcharges from 1 October. After that, the rent-tech platform OurProperty stopped taking direct card payments. It now sends payments through Pay4it, another company founded by the same person, which charges its own 1.95% 'service fee'.
About 1.2 million rent payments a month run through these platforms in Australia. Tenants are being urged to ask for free ways to pay.
🔍 The Backstory
A surcharge is an extra fee added when you pay by card. The Reserve Bank banned them to stop businesses passing card costs straight on to customers. The change was meant to make payments fairer.
But rent-tech platforms sit between tenants and landlords, and many property managers insist tenants use them. That makes it hard for renters to refuse.
Victoria will go further, banning fees on rent payments and tenancy applications later this month.
🎯 Why It Matters
Millions of renters already stretch tight budgets. Hidden fees and forced memberships quietly add to the cost of keeping a roof over your head.
Online property platforms are finding ways around Australia's new ban on card surcharges. Some are charging renters new fees or pushing them into paid 'memberships'.
The Reserve Bank banned surcharges from 1 October. After that, the rent-tech platform OurProperty stopped taking direct card payments. It now sends payments through Pay4it, another company founded by the same person, which charges its own 1.95% 'service fee'.
About 1.2 million rent payments a month run through these platforms in Australia. Tenants are being urged to ask for free ways to pay.
A surcharge is an extra fee added when you pay by card. The Reserve Bank banned them to stop businesses passing card costs straight on to customers. The change was meant to make payments fairer.
But rent-tech platforms sit between tenants and landlords, and many property managers insist tenants use them. That makes it hard for renters to refuse.
Victoria will go further, banning fees on rent payments and tenancy applications later this month.
Millions of renters already stretch tight budgets. Hidden fees and forced memberships quietly add to the cost of keeping a roof over your head.