Getting Started with Real Estate Billing and Accounting
Columbia Residental, a division of Columbia University Facilities and Operations, manages residential units primarily near the Morningside Heights campus, as well as in Manhattan Valley and Riverdale, the Bronx. The Office of Housing Services manages the housing facilities of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC).
While these two offices maintain these properties, the Real Estate Billing and Accounting team handles the financial side of Columbia's residential units. This is accomplished through the monthly billing, collection, and maintenance of tenant rental accounts.
Additionally, the Real Estate Billing and Accounting group processes and maintains security deposits.
After the housing application has been processed by either Columbia Residential (Morningside) or the Office of Housing Services (CUIMC), they forward the residential leased tenant information to the Real Estate Billing and Accounting team, which manages:
- Security Deposits, Rental Verifications, and Reference Letters
- Rental Payments
- Lease Renewals and Vacating Procedures
- Delinquency Procedures
Real Estate Billing & Accounting: Frequently Asked Questions
This page provides answers to common questions about rent payments, billing, and moving out.
Paying Rent Online
If your account is eligible, you can register through Columbia’s residential online payment portal using your 13-character account number. Before enrolling, please stop any recurring payments set up through your bank to avoid duplicate payments.
Use Columbia’s residential payment portal to make payments, enroll in autopay, or manage your payment methods.
Log into the payment portal and review your scheduled payments. If needed, create a new recurring payment.
Use the password reset option available in the portal. If you continue to experience issues, contact the Finance Service Center for assistance.
The portal only accepts payments when a balance is due. If you recently submitted a payment or have a credit on your account, your balance may temporarily appear as zero. Payments may take up to 48 business hours to reflect.
If your scheduled payment amount differs from your current rent, review your settings in the portal. You may need to cancel the existing schedule and create a new one.
No. Online payments must be made for the full balance due.
Invoices and Billing
If you do not receive your invoice, contact the Finance Service Center to request a copy. Rent is due on the first of each month according to your lease.
Yes. Rent is due on the first of each month regardless of invoice delivery timing.
Rent is prorated based on the number of days in the month. The monthly rent is divided by the number of days in that month and multiplied by the number of days the unit was occupied.
Please contact Columbia Residential at [email protected] for assistance with move-out processing and documentation.
Moving Out and Final Payments
Before vacating, log into the payment portal to cancel any scheduled payments and remove saved payment methods.
Final charges may be applied against your security deposit. If a balance remains after the deposit is applied, you will be responsible for the remaining amount. If there is a credit, it will be refunded separately.
Security deposit refunds are typically issued by check within approximately 2–3 weeks after final processing.
Information on move-out procedures can be found on the finance website page for Lease Renewals and Vacating Procedures.
Mailing and Payment Processing
Columbia University
PO Box 5740
Deptford, NJ 08096
Confirm that you used the correct mailing address and allow time for delivery and processing. If your payment is still not reflected, contact the Finance Service Center. You may be asked to provide documentation such as a copy of the processed check.
Bank bill-pay and e-check payments may take longer than expected to reach Columbia, even if funds have been withdrawn from your account. To avoid delays, submit payments well in advance of the due date or use Columbia’s online payment portal.