If you know ahead of time that you will not have the necessary funds in your bank account on your scheduled debit day, you have the option to do a one-time block. A block is a one-time request to not debit your account for that payment period. Your account will not be debited, and you will need to make arrangements to pay your landlord directly. Your ClearNow debits will automatically resume for the next payment period. The deadline to request a block is always one banking day prior to the debit day before 12:00pm (noon) EST. Both your landlord and you may call and request the block or log into your ClearNow accounts and block the debit yourselves. Blocking a debit is a proactive way to avoid possible late or bank fees. ClearNow service fees are also not charged for a blocked debit.
Author: ClearNow
Can I submit a deposit slip instead of a voided check?
Many times, a deposit slip does not contain the correct routing number we need. We prefer to receive a voided check over a deposit slip because checks contain the correct information for your ClearNow enrollment. If you do not have a voided check, then you may submit a bank statement that contains your name and complete account number. Please be sure to include your routing number on your enrollment agreement.
My Payment Failed. Will You “Run It Again?”
If your debit has failed, ClearNow will not reattempt the debit for the same payment period. Email notification will be sent to you and your landlord of the failure, and you will need to pay your rent directly to the landlord for that payment period. Your debits will automatically resume for the next payment period.
Does ClearNow work on my smartphone?
Yes. Since our launch in 2000, all ClearNow accounts have been completely Web-based (online). You have always been able to use our service on any device (laptop, tablet, smartphone) with a Web browser.
We’re pleased to announce that that all customer accounts (landlord, property manager, tenant, and owner) now feature a revised, simplified menu system that is mobile-friendly. This means that our customers’ experience on smartphones is better than ever before.
My tenant has signed a new lease. Do I have to submit new enrollment materials?
ClearNow is committed to making rent collection as easy as possible for landlords and tenants. So if you have a tenant who is already enrolled in ClearNow and has signed a new lease, they do not have to submit new enrollment materials. When a new lease is signed, simply log in to your ClearNow account, select “Manage Rents”, update the lease end date, and click “Save”.
How long has ClearNow been around?
A long time!! ClearNow has been serving landlords, property managers, and tenants since June of 2000 with a flawless record (A+ rating) with the Better Business Bureau. As one of the first online rent collection and payment services, ClearNow has made online rent collection easy and affordable for landlords and property managers of all sizes. Landlords with just one tenant can use ClearNow!
We have lots of experience with online rent collection and are happy to provide customer references upon request. Over the years, we strive to provide value for our customers. In addition to online rent collection and payment, we can furnish ClearNow rent payment data to Experian RentBureau for tenants who want to build a credit history. Landlords can track income and expenses and generate a Schedule E helper report. And property managers can directly deposit rent to owners’ bank accounts.
ClearNow customer support is available via telephone or email Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm ET. Call us at (866) 882-5327 or email us at Support@ClearNow.com.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Rent?
With ClearNow, rent payment is always directly deposited 3 banking days after the debit day. “Banking days” are business days (Monday through Friday) not including any federal bank holidays.
As an example, if your tenant is debited on the 1st of the month and that is a Tuesday, then if there are no federal bank holidays that week, you would receive a direct deposit to your bank account on the 4th of that month (which would be a Friday).
The reason the direct deposit occurs 3 banking days later is that ClearNow uses the ACH Payment network. With the ACH payment network, the tenant’s bank has two banking days to notify us if the debit fails (for reasons such as insufficient funds or a closed bank account). Once that window has passed, the funds have cleared, and the direct deposit occurs to your bank account.
We understand that our customers value precision. Throughout our email correspondence and in your ClearNow account, an exact schedule of when you’ll receive funds is always communicated.
What Kind of Customer Support Does ClearNow Offer?
How many times have you needed assistance only to be stuck on the phone with a recording? Well with ClearNow (www.ClearNow.com), we offer live toll-free phone support that is available Monday – Friday 9am-5pm EST. This allows you to converse with an actual human being who specializes in assisting you with questions or concerns you may have regarding ClearNow. We also have an amazing customer support group that will reply, in a timely fashion, to emails sent to Support@ClearNow.com.
ClearNow is committed to making its electronic rent collection service as convenient and easy to use as possible. So whether it is following up on enrollment materials or general questions about ClearNow, we are here to answer questions you may have!
Can a tenant make “partial payment” of rent with ClearNow?
No, a tenant cannot make a “partial payment” of rent with ClearNow (www.ClearNow.com). When ClearNow automatically debits a tenant’s bank account, either the entire amount of rent is successfully debited or nothing is debited.
For a landlord or property manager, ClearNow’s prevention of a “partial payment” of rent is a very good thing. As many real estate lawyers will advise (for example in this article: http://www.hometownlawfirm.com/attention-landlords-think-twice-before-accepting-a-partial-rent-payment-from-your-tenant/), accepting partial payment can mean that you are effectively waiving your right to evict a tenant – which is the most powerful leverage you have to receive rent payment.
ClearNow’s prevention of “partial payments” is superior to other methods of payment that landlords employ. For example, if a landlord provides deposit slips to their bank account to tenants or has tenants pay when they choose through bill payment, the tenant has the ability to make a partial payment of rent.
Can a tenant report rent payments to a credit bureau?
Yes. Tenants enrolled in ClearNow (www.ClearNow.com) may report their rent payments made while they are enrolled in ClearNow. ClearNow is a data furnisher to Experian RentBureau (www.experian.com/rentbureau).
Why Building Your Credit History Is Important
Credit plays an important role in your life — affecting the purchases you make and much more. A credit history is vital in today’s economy and enables you to obtain valuable credit services such as credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans. Lenders use credit reports and credit scores to gauge the likelihood that you will pay back a loan.
How Paying Rent On Time Helps Build Your Credit History
Experian incorporates on-time rental payment data reported to Experian RentBureau into Experian credit reports. Your rental payment information will be included as part of your standard credit report and may be incorporated into certain credit scores. The inclusion of positive rental payment history within Experian credit reports allows you to establish or build credit history through timely rental payments.