Card Processing Fees Explained
If you have paid an invoice by card in the portal, you may have noticed a small "Processing fee" line above your total. This article explains what that fee is, why it is there, and how it is...
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If you have paid an invoice by card in the portal, you may have noticed a small "Processing fee" line above your total. This article explains what that fee is, why it is there, and how it is calculated.
What is the processing fee?
When you pay by card, the card network and the payment processor that handle the transaction charge a fee for that service. This is not a fee URBI invents or profits from; it is the standard cost of accepting card payments, and your property sets the exact rate for their community.
A common rate is 2.9% of the payment amount, plus $0.30 per transaction, though the exact rate and fixed amount can differ by property, since your property configures these values for their account. Not every property charges this fee; if yours does not, you will not see a processing fee line at all when you pay.
The fee shown is exactly what is charged
Whatever processing fee amount is displayed on the payment screen is the exact amount that will be charged to your card, alongside your invoice amount. There is no difference between what you see before you pay and what actually gets charged. If the screen shows a $14.80 processing fee, that is the fee you will be charged, not an estimate.
It is added on top of your invoice, not deducted from it
This is an important distinction: the processing fee is added on top of your invoice amount. It is not taken out of your payment, and it does not reduce how much of your invoice gets paid off. Your full invoice amount is always applied to your balance; the processing fee is a separate, additional amount charged only because you chose to pay by card.
Worked example
Say you have a $500.00 invoice to pay, and your property's card processing fee is 2.9% + $0.30.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Invoice subtotal | $500.00 |
| Processing fee (2.9% of $500.00 + $0.30) | $14.80 |
| Total charged to your card | $514.80 |
Your $500.00 invoice is paid in full. The $14.80 is the separate processing cost of paying by card.
Other ways to pay may avoid this fee
If your property offers a way to pay that does not go through a card network, for example a bank transfer or another method your property supports outside of card payment, using that method may avoid this processing fee entirely, since the fee only applies to card payments. Check with your property or contact hello@myurbi.co to find out what payment options are available to you.
What this means for you
- The processing fee only applies when you pay by card.
- What you see on the payment screen before you confirm is exactly what will be charged, with no surprises after the fact.
- Your invoice is always paid in full; the fee is additional, not deducted.
- If your property offers a non-card payment option, using it may let you avoid the fee.
FAQ
Q: Why am I being charged a fee at all? A: Card networks and payment processors charge a fee to process card transactions. Your property has chosen to pass that cost along to residents who pay by card, rather than absorbing it as a property expense.
Q: Is this fee the same for every property? A: No. Each property configures its own rate and fixed amount, so the fee you see may differ from a fee a friend at a different community sees. Some properties may not charge this fee at all.
Q: Does the fee change based on how much I am paying? A: Yes, the percentage-based portion scales with your payment amount, while the fixed amount stays the same per transaction. Paying multiple invoices together may change the total fee compared to paying them one at a time.
Q: Will I ever be charged more than what is shown on the payment screen? A: No. The amount shown, including the processing fee, is the exact amount charged to your card.
Q: Can I get the processing fee waived? A: URBI does not control fee waivers; that is a decision for your property. Reach out to your property directly, or contact hello@myurbi.co if you have questions about how the fee applies to your account.
Questions about a charge you saw on your card statement? Contact hello@myurbi.co.