Q: I’m tight on funds. How critical is timely payment of rent?

A:  There is a mitzvah to pay wages promptly and a prohibition against withholding or delaying timely payment of wages. The Sifra extends this prohibition to rental fees of other items. There is an opinion that the prohibition does not apply to property rental, but many authorities maintain that it applies also to real estate, especially a building that is merely attached to the ground (C.M., Gra and Ketzos 339:1; Ahavas Chessed 9:5).Therefore, a renter must be careful to pay his rent promptly. The same is true of one who rents or leases a car or other equipment.

However, the halachic obligation to pay wages and rent is only at the conclusion of each payment period (e.g., month). Thus, since nowadays real estate rent is usually due at the beginning of the period, the prohibition against delaying (bal talin) does not apply (Mishpatecha L’Yaakov 6:35:3a; Gam Ani Odcha #169). Nonetheless, one is obligated to honor any monetary commitment promptly if he is able to (C.M. 339:7-8).