Need money to pay rent tomorrow? Here's what to do

When financial hardship happens, it's important to pause and breathe. Tough times can test your resourcefulness, and a cool head can help you get through it. 

For example, maybe you need money to pay rent tomorrow (or yesterday). Your bank account is tapped out, and payday is two weeks away. 

It's not ideal, and it can feel scary. That's normal. Here are some strategies you could use to get through the situation and keep a roof over your head. 

Immediate options to get money for rent

When you need money for rent ASAP, it makes sense to start with solutions that are right in front of you. Immediate relief in a financial crisis could be a phone call or a few clicks away. 

• Talk to your landlord. A little communication can go a long way when you're short on rent. Reach out to your landlord or property manager and fill them in on your situation. Ask if you can get an extension and let them know when you'll be able to pay. They may agree to cut you a break if you've been a good tenant and always paid rent on time before. 

• Borrow from friends or family. If you have a trusted community of people you can rely on, you might ask them for help with rent. You can explain that you need a short-term loan because of temporary financial hardship. The quality of the relationships you have with friends and family and your comfort level in sharing your financial situation will ultimately determine if this is an option you should consider. 

• Sell something. Look around your house. Are there any items you could sell for quick cash? Jewelry, electronics, power tools, and designer clothes could pull in serious cash. No item is too big or small to try and sell when you need money to pay rent tomorrow. 

• Gig work. Gig work or side hustles could help you get money for rent fast if you're doing work that pays the same day. Many gig apps, like Instacart and DoorDash, let you get paid almost instantly. You could also look for local gigs that pay cash. For example, you could get paid to do yard work, help someone move, walk dogs, or babysit. Brainstorm as many ideas to generate more income as you can, then go through the list to decide which ones are most realistic. 

• Get an emergency loan. Emergency loans are personal loans you can apply for when you have an immediate financial need. They're not the same as payday loans, which typically charge steep interest rates and fees, or title loans, which use your car as collateral. It’s better to avoid payday or title loans altogether because of their extremely high costs. An emergency loan could let you borrow $5,000 to $50,000 (or more) with a fixed interest rate and predictable payments. 

Where to find rental assistance

Your community could be a valuable source of help when you need money to pay rent tomorrow. You may not qualify for every option that's out there, but it's worth knowing where you could potentially turn for aid. 

• Government programs. Government programs can help people in financial need with rent payments. For example, the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (EARP) allocates money to states to help residents pay current or past-due rent, utilities, and other housing expenses. Check with your local housing authority to find out what kind of rental assistance is available in your city or county and how to apply. 

• Charities and churches. Charitable organizations are another avenue to get help with rent. You might qualify for rental assistance through a local nonprofit, or there may be churches in your area that will help cover one month's worth of rent for people in hardship. Use a tool like FindHelp.org to search for different types of assistance in your zip code. 

• Community resources. You can get free information about rent assistance through 211 or the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Call 211 to get immediate help over the phone, visit 211.org to search for resources in your local area, or check out HUD.gov to learn whether you might be eligible for rent assistance.

Long-term solutions if you're struggling to pay rent

If your financial hardship isn't temporary, you might have to explore other solutions to keep the rent paid on time. You could try one of the options below or all of them to create some financial stability so rent isn't a source of stress each month. 

• Adjust your budget. A budget helps you keep track of where your money goes. Rent might be easier to manage if you're able to cut some of your expenses down. Making a budget and tracking expenses could show you which expenses would be easiest to cut. If you've already cut your budget down to bare bones, then you can move on to the next possible solution.

• Increase your income. Ask yourself how you could make more money to cover rent. For example, could you do some gig work or start a side hustle? Get a part-time job or increase your hours at work? Negotiate a pay raise if you earn a regular salary? Start a business? There are a lot of ways to increase income; you just have to find the one that fits with your skills, interests, and the amount of free time you have. 

• Consider shared housing. Living with a roommate can mean giving up a little of your privacy, but it could instantly cut your housing costs in half. The more roommates you have, the less money you have to contribute to rent and utilities each month. If you don't feel comfortable living with strangers, consider your family. You may have a parent, sibling, cousin, or other relative who will open their home to you in exchange for sharing housing costs. 

• Debt relief options. Credit cards, medical bills, student loans, and other debts can drain your budget. If you struggle to keep up with those payments and make rent, it might be time to look into debt help. For example, debt relief can help you get rid of your credit card debt for less than what you owe. Talk to a debt expert about your options.  

What's next

• Call or email your landlord or property manager to ask about an extension on your rent due date if you have a temporary hardship. 

• Use 211.org or FindHelp.org to locate rental assistance resources and programs in your area.

• Compare rates and terms for hardship loans if you don't feel comfortable enough to ask friends and family for money. 

• Talk to a credit counselor or debt expert about ways to clear your debts and free up money for living expenses. A debt solution could help make rent more affordable.