Cal. Civ. Code § 235-G
Electronic billing and/or payment of rent
Operative Text
§ 235-g. Electronic billing and/or payment of rent. 1. A landlord shall not require a lessee or tenant to use an electronic billing and/or payment system as the only method for the payment of rent. A landlord shall not assess any fee or other charge for a lessee or tenant that chooses not to use an electronic billing and/or payment system. 2. Any agreement by a lessee or tenant of a dwelling waiving or modifying his or her rights as set forth in this section shall be void as contrary to public policy.
Under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-G, landlords in New York are prohibited from making electronic billing or payment the sole method for paying rent. Tenants must always have access to at least one non-electronic payment option, and no fee or surcharge may be imposed on those who decline to use an electronic system. Any lease clause that attempts to waive or alter these protections is void as a matter of public policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-G are expected to maintain at least one non-electronic rent payment option alongside any online or app-based system they offer. A compliant operator does not attach fees, surcharges, or other charges to tenants who opt out of electronic billing or payment. Because § 235-G voids any lease language that attempts to contract around these requirements, operators generally review their lease templates and payment policies to ensure no such clauses appear.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 235-G gives tenants the right to pay rent through a non-electronic method and to do so without incurring any extra fee for that choice. If a landlord insists on electronic-only payment or imposes a charge for opting out, that practice conflicts with § 235-G, and any lease provision purporting to waive these rights is unenforceable. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider raising it as a defense in a housing proceeding, filing a complaint with a relevant local or state agency, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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