Landlord enforcing to pay bill via insecure online profile

[Beuan S]

Jurisdiction

California

I am renting an apartment in South California. The complex got new owner and in the past few months they are sending notes that "ownership prefers" we pay our rent online. For paying with debit or credit card they charge extra service fees. No fees are applied for transactions directly via bank account. My first question is; are they allowed to charge us the service fees for transactions on those payments?

Online profile account only allows to make payments with stored bank account or card information. At the same time, online residents' account numbers are printed on utility postcards we receive via mail and as such they publicly distributed. I find this a breach of security of their online page and I feel unconformable to store any banking information on that profile. So my question is, can they force me to stop paying my rent by check?

Thank you for any help or advice!

 

[army judge]

My first question is; are they allowed to charge us the service fees for transactions on those payments?

Yes, because you can pay in person via check, or do same online.

Either way, I suggest you don't make a fuss about this unless you wish to move when your lease expires.

I find this a breach of security of their online page and I feel unconformable to store any banking information on that profile. So my question is, can they force me to stop paying my rent by check?

I have no idea what someone can force you to do.

I do know what will happen if you make a ruckus over this.

I hope you choose wisely.

 

[zddoodah]

My first question is; are they allowed to charge us the service fees for transactions on those payments?

I can't conceive why not.

can they force me to stop paying my rent by check?

Unless your lease requires a particular method of payment, you are free to use whatever method you like.

 

[Beuan S]

Thank you both for your responses.