New Online to Offline Use Case: App-Based Rent Payments

Sometimes a very modern idea can have a throughly retro name, as evidenced by a new app that is seeing if it can move the quintessentially offline experience online.  Though no one has called a home a “pad” since 1989 and no one outside the state of California has ever used the word “rad” sincerely ever, the folks at RadPad think they can get both terms to go mainstream by letting people pay their rent by phone.

Jonathan Eppers, Co-Founder and CEO of RadPad, said in a statement:  “Approximately $350 billion in housing rent is written out on checks or given in cash annually and until now more than 90 million renters in the U.S. didn’t have an option to use their credit or debit card to pay their rent.”

RadPad wants to be that option.  The service works by allowing users to sign up and link their debit or credit card to their account.  Rad Pad then asks for the Landlords mailing address and email, which presumably allows Rad Pad to mail the check to the Landlord.  However, by saving the payments to the customers RadPad profile, Renters Can conceivably improve their credit score.   Moreover, RadPad allows roommates or others who split rent to pay communally.

As of August 2014, more than 50 renters in the U.S. paid their September 2014 rent using RadPad, according to the corporate website.