How to Use the Fee Calculator

The Fee Calculator helps you understand exactly what you and your tenants will pay for rent payments. Get instant breakdowns, compare payment methods, and see your founding member status.

🎯 What the Fee Calculator Shows#

Instant Information:#

✅ Platform fees (RentMouse's service fee)
✅ Processing fees (Stripe/Plaid costs)
✅ Total payment amount
✅ Your pricing tier
✅ Founding member status
✅ ACH vs Card comparison

📍 Accessing the Calculator#

Log in to your landlord account
Click Payments in the sidebar
Select Fee Calculator

Method 2: Direct URL#

Navigate to: /landlord/fees

🧮 Using the Calculator#

Step 1: Enter Rent Amount#

In the "Monthly Rent" field:

Type any amount (e.g., $1,500)
Or use quick examples: $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, etc.

Step 2: View Breakdown#

The calculator instantly shows:

Rent:          $2,000.00
Platform Fee:  $0.00 (or based on your tier)
Processor Fee: $5.00 (ACH) or $58.30 (Card)
Total:         $2,005.00

Step 3: Check Your Status#

Look for badges:

🎉 Founding Member - 0.25% locked rate
✨ 0% Platform Fee - Acquisition mode
📊 Your Tier - 0-9, 10-49, or 50+ units

💡 Understanding the Results#

"Acquisition Mode"

Current phase: 0% platform fees
Only processor fees apply
Great time to join!

"Standard Mode" (Future)

Volume-based platform fees
Founding members locked in
Transparent pricing

Fee Breakdown#

Platform Fee:

RentMouse's service fee
Currently $0 (acquisition mode)
Future: 0.25% - 0.5% based on portfolio

Processor Fee:

ACH: 0.8% (capped at $5)
Card: 2.9% + $0.30 (no cap)
Always at cost, no markup

Total:

What tenant actually pays
Rent + all fees combined

Pricing Tiers#

The calculator shows which tier applies:

0-9 Units:

0.5% platform fee
$1 min, $8 max

10-49 Units:

0.35% platform fee
$0.75 min, $6 max

50+ Units:

0.25% platform fee (best tier)
$0.50 min, $5 max

Founding Members:

Always 0.25% (locked forever)
Regardless of unit count

📊 Comparing Payment Methods#

ACH vs Card Comparison#

Example: $2,000 Rent

Method	Platform Fee	Processor Fee	Total
ACH	$0.00	$5.00	$2,005.00
Card	$0.00	$58.30	$2,058.30
Savings with ACH	—	—	$53.30

ACH (Recommended):

✅ Much lower fees
✅ Capped at $5
✅ Same-day processing
✅ Bank-to-bank transfer

Card:

✅ Instant processing
✅ Credit card rewards (for tenant)
❌ Higher fees
❌ Not capped

🎨 Interactive Features#

Quick Examples#

Click any preset amount:

$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$3,000
$5,000

Real-Time Updates#

As you type, the calculator:

✅ Updates instantly
✅ Recalculates all fees
✅ Shows new total
✅ Maintains tier info

Hover Tooltips#

Hover over the ⓘ icon to see:

Fee explanations
Tier details
Processing info

💼 Business Use Cases#

1. Setting Rent Prices#

Use the calculator to:

Understand total tenant cost
Factor fees into pricing
Remain competitive
Communicate transparently

2. Tenant Communication#

Share calculations showing:

Exact costs
Payment method comparison
Savings with ACH
Total transparency

3. Portfolio Planning#

Analyze scenarios:

Current tier fees
Next tier savings
ROI of growing portfolio
Founding member benefits

4. Budget Forecasting#

Calculate expected fees:

Monthly fee costs
Annual projections
Different portfolio sizes
Method preferences

📱 Mobile & Desktop#

The calculator works on:

✅ Desktop computers
✅ Tablets
✅ Mobile phones
✅ All modern browsers

Responsive design adapts to your screen size.

🎓 Tips & Best Practices#

For Landlords:#

1. Bookmark the Calculator

Quick access anytime
No need to navigate menus

2. Share with Potential Tenants

Show transparency
Build trust
Answer fee questions upfront

3. Use for Multiple Properties

Different rent amounts
Compare scenarios
Plan pricing strategies

4. Check Regularly

Monitor your tier
Track founding status
Stay informed

For Admins:#

1. Train Team Members

Show how to use calculator
Explain fee structure
Answer common questions

2. Use in Sales

Demonstrate transparency
Compare to competitors
Highlight founding benefits

3. Include in Onboarding

New landlord orientation
Fee structure explanation
Calculator walkthrough

🔍 Advanced Features#

Pricing Tier Table#

Below the calculator, see:

All three tiers
Exact percentages
Min/max caps
Founding member highlight

Phase Indicator#

Current mode displayed:

Acquisition (0% fees)
Standard (volume-based)
Founding member protection

Help Information#

Info sections explain:

How fees work
Tier qualification
Founding member benefits
Payment methods

❓ Common Questions#

Why does my calculator show $0 platform fee?#

We're in acquisition mode with 0% platform fees. This won't last forever — sign up before January 1, 2026 to become a founding member!

How often should I check the calculator?#

Check whenever:

Setting rent for new properties
Communicating with tenants
Planning portfolio expansion
Reviewing fee structure

Can I use this for security deposits?#

Yes! The same fee structure applies to all payments, including security deposits.

Will my tier change automatically?#

Yes, your tier updates automatically based on your current unit count. The calculator always shows your real-time tier.

What if I'm a founding member?#

You'll see a "Founding Member" badge and always get 0.25% platform fee, regardless of unit count.

📞 Need Help?#

Calculator Issues?

Clear browser cache
Try different browser
Contact support

Fee Questions?

Read Understanding Fees
Email: support@rentmouse.com
Chat with support team

Related Guides:

🎯 Next Steps#

✅ Try the calculator with your typical rent amounts
✅ Compare ACH vs Card to see savings
✅ Check founding status before January 1, 2026
✅ Share with team to ensure alignment
✅ Use in tenant communications for transparency

Last Updated: January 6, 2025

The fee calculator uses real-time data from your account, including your current unit count and founding member status. Results are for estimation purposes — actual fees may vary based on specific transactions.

How to Use the Fee Calculator | RentMouse