Rent receipts

If you pay a landlord in cash, your landlord must give you a receipt within 15 days. Your landlord must keep a record of all cash rent receipts for 3 years.

Pay in a way you can prove. If you pay in cash, by money order, or by anything other than your own personal check, your landlord must give you a written receipt. The receipt must show the date, the amount, the home and period paid for, and the signature of the person who took the money. If you pay by personal check, you can ask in writing for receipts, and your landlord must then give them.

If you pay rent in cash, your landlord must give you a written receipt and record the date and amount. Your landlord must accept cash paid on time unless a written lease requires a check, money order, or another payment method that can be tracked. A landlord who breaks this rule owes you the greater of 1 month's rent or $500 for each violation, plus court costs and lawyer's fees. Keep every receipt, bank record, and text about rent. They are your proof if your landlord later claims you did not pay.