BNPL has significantly grown as one of the most popular payment methods not just in the US, but the world, and now Affirm is taking its services one step further for rent payments.
Affirm could soon enable US users to make payments with its buy now, pay later (BNPL) services for monthly rent payments.
The new feature is part of a pilot programme alongside Esusu, a US credit payment firm, which would allow renters to split monthly rent payment into two equal payments every two weeks.
First reported by CNBC, Affirm’s payments come with 0% APR and no late or hidden fees. Payment Expert understands the pilot programme has yet to be launched, and partners are yet to be confirmed.
“This pilot with Esusu will give eligible renters a flexible option for managing one of their largest monthly expenses,” an Affirm spokesperson tells Payment Expert.
“Select renters who choose to use Affirm through Esusu can apply to pay rent in two equal payments every two weeks at 0% APR, with no hidden or late fees, or compounding interest. It’s a transparent option that offers flexibility for renters to align expenses with their paychecks.”
BNPL affordability checks
Payment Expert reached out to Affirm on its process for affordability checks and which customers would be applicable for the pilot and understands Affirm underwrites every single transaction at the checkout.
“We underwrite every application individually and we only approve people for what we believe they can responsibly afford to repay,” the spokesperson says.
“We’re approaching this use case thoughtfully and evaluating it alongside Esusu, which shares our focus on clear, consumer-first financial tools.”
The company underwrites all of its customers’ split payments which evaluates risk, assesses creditworthiness and determines eligibility for loans. Affirm checks the consumer on the likelihood of them repaying with real time credit decisions on whether to approve them.
Regulation in focus
The US has increasingly scaled back BNPL regulation over the past year since President Donald Trump introduced de-regulation across several agencies.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shifted its plans to classify BNPL in the same vein as traditional credit card providers in May 2025, scaling back and focusing more on consumer risks.
In relation to Affirm’s rent payment offering, the company stated it has “always taken and will continue to take the necessary steps to follow all applicable regulatory requirements where we operate”.
In a report issued by the CFPB in December 2025, BNPL in the US is becoming increasingly more used to cover everyday living costs rather than one-off or regular consumer purchases.
The CFPB report also found that late BNPL installments are tied to structural affordability pressures for consumers who use the service for essential spending. The agency also revealed that late fees are rare and easily avoidable.
For late rent payments, a 30-day period is afforded to renters before a report is filed with the CFPB if it has still not been paid. Credit scores can then be affected if there is still repayment, such as a drop between 60-110 points.
Affirm revealed its consumer services has “never been driven by regulation”, rather, to “align our interests with those of consumers as part of our mission to deliver honest financial products that improve lives”.
