Which rent receipt template to choose, what information to include, and free examples in Word and PDF
As a landlord or property manager, you likely already know that providing a rent receipt is highly recommended and even required in some states. However, knowing which rent receipt template to choose and what information to include on it can prove to be challenging and perhaps even overwhelming. Using the information and free rent receipt templates below as your guide can help you find and even customize the right option for both you and your tenants.
Also referred to as rental invoices, rental receipts are forms used to record payments made for rent, and serve as an important recordkeeping tool. Once a rental agreement is signed, both parties are legally obligated to honor the terms listed. Included in these terms is the payment of rent by the tenant. Having a rent receipt documents when this obligation is met.
Rental Receipts for Landlords
While there are different rules and regulations among states and countries regarding rent receipts, it is always good practice for landlords to provide them to tenants. In the U.S., many states require landlords to provide tenants with rent receipts, free of charge, whenever they are requested. This rule may also apply to previous tenants who can request receipts within one year of having moved out.
You will need to review your state or country’s laws to verify if providing a receipt is mandatory or required only upon request by the tenant. Failure to provide rental receipts when it is required by law can result in the filing of complaints by the tenants to local authorities, and fines being assessed against you. Also note that, if you provided a rent receipt for a tenant’s check that was returned uncashed for any reason, you may still pursue collecting that rent.
Do’s for Providing Rental Receipts to Tenants
Provide rental receipts if/as required by law in your country or state
Keep each receipt for your records and in a safe place, if necessary
Use a rent receipt template to help ensure all required and necessary information is complete and accurate
Don’ts for Providing Rental Receipts to Tenants
Provide rental receipts prior to payment being made
Fail to sign and/or include company’s official stamp
Omit the remaining balance due when providing a receipt for periodic payments
Basic rent receipt with key information. The template should be used for rentals where partial payment is accepted. Two receipts per page (copy for landlord and copy for tenant), and place for company stamp.
Just like you receive receipts for everyday purchases, such as groceries and gas, it is just as important, if not more so, that you receive a receipt from your landlord or property management company for payment of your rent. For most individuals, your monthly rent is one your highest expenditures, so being able to document proof of payment is important for many financial reasons. In addition, requesting a rent receipt is not only a wise financial move, it may be one of your tenant rights, depending on the state you live in.
Do’s for Receiving Rental Receipts from Your Landlord
Immediately request a copy of your rental receipt once payment is made
Keep a copy of each receipt for your records and in a safe place
Ensure that all required and necessary information is complete and accurate
Don’ts for Receiving Rental Receipts from Your Landlord
Accept rental receipts from unauthorized parties
Forget to request additional items that are included in your rental payment be itemized to avoid disputes (e.g. utilities, cable, etc.)
Verifying payments, particularly those made in cash. No matter how you make your rental payments, receipts should be provided and kept. However, rental receipts are especially important for tenants who pay in cash, since aside from receiving a cash receipt there is no other paper trail.
Tax credit– Some states provide tax credits for renters. Having your rental receipts ensures you can verify that payments were made, making your tax credit easier to claim in the event additional documentation is needed.
Credit reporting– Reporting rental payments that have been made on time and in full can help raise your credit score and demonstrate to lenders that you are trustworthy in paying your debts.
Rental history– When reviewing tenant applications, few factors are more important to landlords than your rental history. Having your rental receipts can help show that you have a positive payment history or can help you to dispute discrepancies that may appear on your credit report.
Dispute settlement– In the event there is a discrepancy regarding your rental payments (e.g. late, partial or no payment disputes), having a copy of rental receipts can help sort out and avoid possible issues, including late fees, evictions, and negative reports on your credit.
Help! I Am Unable to Obtain a Rental ReceiptIn cases where your landlord or property management company state they are unable to provide you with copies of rent receipts, it’s important that you verify whether they are legally obligated to do so. In the event you are unable to obtain a rental receipt, it is important that you explore other means of documenting your payments, such as:
Making a copy of your canceled checks, or requesting copies from your bank
Keeping a copy of your bank statements, showing either a digital version of the physical check or the check number, amount, and date it cleared your account
Keeping the stub from money orders and cashier’s checks
Using an online payment portal/system or rent receipt template you provide, if your landlord agrees
Information to Include on Rental Receipts
While the details provided on rental receipts may vary, the following information should always be included:
Date of Payment
Amount of Payment
Name of Landlord (or name of the company)
Signature of Landlord or Manager
Tenant’s Name (and name of person who paid the rent, if different from the tenant)
Tenant’s Address
Rental Period
Other items that may be included on your rental invoice form may include:
Method of payment (cash, credit card, money order, cashier’s check)
Services or other fees included in the payment (e.g. utilities, security deposits, convenience fees)
“Received by” for situations where someone other than the landlord receives payment
“Paid by” for situations where invoices are paid for by someone other than the tenant
Rent Receipt Books vs. Rent Receipt Templates
Wondering whether you should you purchase a rent receipt book or use a rent receipt template? If so, here a few pros and cons to consider for both:
Rent Receipt Book
Pros
Can be purchased at retailers ranging from dollar stores to office supplies stores
Does not require technical knowledge or Internet access
Easy to access and use
Cons
If lost or damaged, you may lose all copies
Difficult, if not impossible, to organize individual receipts without detaching
Unable to customize
Rent Receipt Template
Pros
Copies can be saved online
Easy to customize, update and reproduce
Accessible by multiple users
Cons
May require some technical knowledge and Internet access by both landlord/manager and tenant
When transitioning or upgrading to another rent receipt software program conversion may be glitchy or impossible
Purchasing software may be required in order to use
Free Rent Receipt Template Examples
Choosing the right rent receipt format for you will depend on several factors, including whether you are:
A commercial or residential landlord
A commercial or residential tenant
A property management company manager
Documenting a high number of payments
Making or receiving rent payments on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual (or other) basis
More comfortable using a printed or a digital form
Looking for a standard or customizable form
Using a Mac or Windows operating system
The rent receipt templates offered below are free to use and ideal for documentation of:
Partial rent payments
Rental payments made in different currencies
Remaining or outstanding rental balances
Private or commercial lease payments
Rent payments eligible for tax deduction
These rent receipt templates can be used as-is or customized using Microsoft Word or Excel, Open Office, or Apple Pages or Numbers. Each rent receipt template, except those in Excel format, are also available to download in pdf format.
Rental receipt in Excel
This rent receipt form in Excel will save you a lot of time because it does all the work for you. When you enter amount due and amount paid, the balance due is calculated automatically. Enter numeric amount received and it will be converted into words. There are two worksheets: the first one has one receipt. The second has three receipts where two copies are automatically populated from information you entered into the first worksheet.
Free receipt template with option for different currencies. There are two worksheets: one with one receipt per page and another with three receipts per page where two are populated automatically with data entered into the first receipt on the page.
Create your own carbonless receipt book with this template. Each receipt features sections labelled Date, From, Receipt Number, Amount in figures and letters, Payment for, Rental period (to - from), Received by, Outstanding Balance due, and Signature.
Universal template that can be used for various rental businesses - just change a few fields if provided fields are too many / too few for your business.