A closer look at “Rent-tech platforms dodge RBA surcharge ban with new fees and paid memberships for tenants”, exactly as the source publishes it. Online property management platforms are introducing new charges and pushing tenants towards paid 'memberships' to sidestep the Reserve Bank of Australia's ban on credit card surcharges. Tenants across Australia, including in Victoria where fees on rent payments are explicitly prohibited, are being encouraged to question or avoid these additional costs. The RBA's reform aimed to eliminate surcharges on card payments, but rent-tech companies appear to be finding alternative ways to recover processing costs, shifting the burden back onto renters.
This development matters because it undermines the intent of the surcharge ban and could add significant ongoing expenses for tenants who pay rent electronically. Consumer advocates advise renters to seek out free payment options such as bank transfers or direct debit, and to report any questionable fees to state fair trading bodies. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.