Posted: February 11, 2026 | Updated: February 12, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Through a pilot program in partnership with Esusu, Affirm is introducing Buy Now Pay Later options for rent payments. Eligible tenants will be able to split their monthly rent into bi-weekly payments at 0% APR.
Esusu lets renters report their on-time rental payments to major credit bureaus, which can help them build credit in the process.
According to recent reports, Affirm is testing buy-now, pay-later services for rent payments. Approved users will have the option to split rent into two equal payments, which they can pay bi-weekly or every two weeks. The pilot is run through Esusu and is available for properties and landlords participating in Esusu’s network in selected areas where tenants live, and where the building is enrolled. Affirm has yet to confirm a plan for a wide public rollout.
Affirm says that the BNPL payment option will have 0% APR and is designed to be simple and predictable. According to an Affirm spokesperson, renters can use the BNPL option at zero late fees, no compounding interest, and no hidden fees. The company underwrites every application individually and approves only those tenants it believes can responsibly afford rental payments.
Esusu’s underlying setup provides a structure and limits how the product can be used by the renters. Tenants can apply for one loan in a month and must reapply each month if they want to keep splitting the rent.
The rent amount is accessed directly from the property manager’s or landlord’s rental records inside the property system, and it cannot be edited by the tenant. This will act as a safeguard to reduce disputes and prevent over-borrowing beyond what is actually required. Plus, the funds can be used only for paying rent through Esusu’s platform, not for housing expenses like utilities, deposits, etc.
After the tenant application is approved and confirmed, funds are sent directly to the landlord’s account, and the tenant pays the amount in two scheduled installments in a bi-weekly cadence. Repayment is tied to the tenant’s bank account or debit payment method, so they have to maintain a cash balance for withdrawal dates.
Though not yet confirmed in reports, there is an important cost consideration. Access to Esusu and Affirm rent payment options may require a paid Esusu subscription. Reportedly, Esusu offers two plans:
Reports suggest that Affirm is positioning buy-now, pay-later as zero interest and zero fees for the pilot, and that any compensation may come from the fees charged to the landlords.
Some argue that the pitch fits how most people get paid. The company targets tenants who receive wages every two weeks and struggle with one large lump sum payment at the start of the month. Splitting the rent payment into two installments helps smooth cash flow without interest.
While others argue the fact that rent is not a discretionary purchase. You have to pay rent every month, and it’s a large chunk of your paycheck. Falling behind will trigger late charges from landlords, lease violations, or eviction risk. Rolling cycle is another issue. If someone splits the rent in two this month, but then faces an emergency or a lower than expected paycheck. They could be repaying the prior rent installment while a new month’s rent comes due.
Even at 0% APR, this overlap can squeeze budgets and increase the chance of missing either the installment or the next rent payment.
Critics have argued that this may “normalize” borrowing even for essentials. Even unaffordable bills can feel manageable in the moment, which more often than not shatters your finances.
Consumer advocates have also raised concerns about normalizing borrowing for essentials. The argument is that installment products can make unaffordable bills feel manageable in the moment, while quietly shifting stress into the next pay period.
That risk rises if renters use multiple installment products at once for groceries, utilities, or other recurring needs, because each one may look small, but together they can consume large chunks of future paychecks.
Affirm’s rent pilot also matters because of scale. Smaller players and other payment firms already offer rent-splitting or rent-by-installment models, but Affirm is a major name in buy-now-pay-later, so a successful pilot could accelerate the trend. That matters for regulators, because rent BNPL expands the category from retail transactions into an essential monthly obligation where harm can be more severe.
Rent costs have risen sharply over the last several years, and services that let renters pay rent in parts often charge subscription fees or transaction fees. Some renters already pay rent by credit card and absorb processing charges that can add up quickly. That’s where a truly fee-free, 0% option could be attractive, but only if it does not come bundled with separate platform subscriptions or indirect costs that change the effective price.
For renters, the decision comes down to math and timing. A bi-weekly split can help when cash flow is steady, but it becomes dangerous when income is irregular. The safest use case is when the renter already has the money for the month’s rent but wants to match payment dates to paychecks.
Financially risky use case is when the tenant needs the split because they cannot cover rent otherwise, because that turns a budgeting tool into a debt bridge that must be rebuilt every month.
In the pilot program, Affirm plans to offer bi-weekly BNPL payment options. The total rent amount will be divided into two equal parts, paid every two weeks. At 0% APR, Affirm promises tenants will pay zero fees for this service.
This pilot will roll out in phases. Initially, it is only available to tenants in certain areas or buildings that have joined the program. Eligible renters would have to apply through Affirm, and Affirm will underwrite each application individually after performing a soft credit check.
No, at least not in the pilot program. Affirm has confirmed there won’t be any interest, late fees, or other additional fees. Affirm likely makes money by charging the property manager or via Esusu a small fee for facilitating the transaction.
This could be helpful for tenants living paycheck to paycheck, which can be a helpful cash flow tool. Many people get paid bi-weekly, so having half the rent come out of each paycheck might be easier than paying a lump sum once a month. Plus, the on-time payments are reported to credit bureaus, which can help build your credit.
