Revamping Rent Payments in Birmingham: Occupi Offers a Modern Solution for Tenants and Landlords

Article Sponsored by:

SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORS!

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:

Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence

Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?

Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:

May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf

Click the button below to sponsor our articles:

Sponsor Our Articles

Revamping Rent Payments in Birmingham: A New Solution for Tenants and Landlords

If you’re living in Birmingham, it’s likely you’ve noticed how our daily lives are evolving thanks to technology. But one area that seems to be lagging behind is the rental payment process. Thankfully, two local founders are diving in to change that! With so many people using mobile payment apps like Cash App and Venmo, the traditional methods like checks and money orders are feeling a bit outdated. And let’s be real – aren’t we all a tad tired of running to the mailbox each month?

Outdated Payment Systems Frustrate Everyone

Taylor Peake, a rental property owner, experienced firsthand how inconvenient the current systems can be. Many tenants still rely on checks or direct deposits, while a growing number prefer the ease of mobile options. According to a report from the FDIC, over 60.8% of unbanked households and 24.5% of banked households have turned to these apps for their essential payments. But here’s the kicker: property management software often doesn’t support these payment methods, leaving us all spinning our wheels to figure out what’s next. Talk about a hassle!

The Pandemic Amplified the Problems

The situation got even trickier during the pandemic. Peake explains, “With the postal service delays, physical mail, including money orders, were sometimes taking months to arrive. I reached out to friends in the real estate field to learn how they coped with these payment challenges.” What she found was not encouraging. Many landlords are stuck managing piles of physical mail, and others are redirecting tenants to open credit-based accounts just to pay their rent. Frustrating, isn’t it?

Enter Occupi: A Modern Solution

Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, Peake teamed up with her co-founder, Emily Hart, to launch Occupi, a Birmingham-based platform designed to simplify rental payments. Occupi integrates popular payment options—think Cash App and Venmo—into one user-friendly platform where tenants can easily submit their rent. It doesn’t just stop at payment collection; landlords can also advertise available properties and vet tenant applications directly through the app!

A Dynamic Duo with Big Goals

Before launching Occupi, Peake was a co-founder of a software development agency and Hart had carved her niche in marketing and product strategy. Their backgrounds complement each other beautifully. Hart reminisces, “We’re such opposites that the partnership blossomed. I focus on the operational details, while Taylor’s vision spans the big picture.” And their partnership has been rock-solid for a decade, with plans for even more growth ahead!

The Birmingham Fintech Scene

Occupi isn’t alone; Birmingham is becoming a hotspot for fintech innovators, with several startups like Quantalytix and KrillPay making waves in the industry. Peake shares her enthusiasm, stating, “Building an early-stage fintech in Birmingham has been better than we could have expected.” Local supporters—from advisors to investors—have rallied around their vision, and things are already falling into place.

Success on the Horizon

The excitement is growing as Occupi closes in on its seed funding round to bring on top talent in tech, regulation, and finance. With backing from local investors, including Innovate Alabama, our dynamic duo is on a mission to build a strong team dedicated to transforming the rental space.

Overall, it seems that Occupi is paving the way for a future where renting becomes simpler and more accessible for everyone involved. As Peake puts it, “We are excited to connect with other industry leaders and expand Occupi’s reach.” So, if you’re a tenant or landlord feeling bogged down by outdated payment systems, keep an eye on Birmingham’s very own Occupi—exciting times are definitely ahead!


Author: HERE Birmingham

HERE Birmingham

Recent Posts

Helping Hands in Alabama: Winter Storm Relief Fund Unveiled

News Summary Alabama residents impacted by winter storms can find relief thanks to a $250,000…

10 hours ago

Join The Funding Lab Workshop for Alabama Small Businesses

News Summary The Funding Lab workshop is set to take place on March 11 from…

10 hours ago

Goodwill Industries Expands with Two New Locations in South Huntsville

News Summary Goodwill Industries has announced the opening of two new locations in South Huntsville,…

10 hours ago

New Culinary Ventures and Restaurant Updates in Detroit

News Summary Detroit's vibrant food scene is bustling with new openings, exciting reopenings, and changes…

12 hours ago

Birmingham Celebrates Business Excellence at Awards Luncheon

News Summary Birmingham hosted the Business Alabama Awards Luncheon on February 28, celebrating the achievements…

12 hours ago

Birmingham Celebrates the Opening of Alicia’s Coffee

News Summary On February 25, 2025, Birmingham, Alabama, marked a significant day with the grand…

12 hours ago