Ask HN: Why is rent not paid and tracked online?

In the US?

This has to vary per country. Here in the UK I think usually you set up a standing order, that is an automatic scheduled bank transfer for a set amount every month. You can do that online and these days the transfer is instant, and it does not require any third party services or fees.

I had this at an apartment once. They were a large enough company that they did this and it was great. Now I have to mail a check to my current one. It's a shame, but probably is related to scale.

I assume that you can for some landlords. I might be in the minority, but I can track and pay my mortgage online; I don't see why it's impossible for rent payments.

My guess is that it's a combination of ignorance, apathy, and credit card fees.

There would be no advantage to the landlord, only to the tenant. And as you mentioned, there would certainly be middleman fees of one sort or another, perhaps by more than one party. This sounds like some sort of clever "disruptive" idea for a startup, which would only benefit the startup, not the "customers."

Instant payment, no paper checks, and ability for tenants to use credit cards vs pay you late.

So somebody else can scrape a little rent off the top?