Cash still makes up a meaningful share of rent payments in a lot of markets, and it comes with a genuine downside — no bank automatically records that the money changed hands. That gap needs to be closed manually, on both sides.
Get a receipt at the moment of payment, every time
This is the single most important habit for cash rent — never hand over cash without a receipt in return, even if it feels awkward to ask a landlord you trust. Trust doesn't help six months later if a disagreement comes up about a specific month.
Have the landlord sign or initial it
A receipt with a signature carries more weight than an unsigned printout, especially if it's ever needed as evidence. A quick signature costs nothing and adds real credibility.
Take a photo immediately
A paper receipt can be lost, damaged, or (rarely) disputed later. Photographing it right away and keeping the image somewhere backed up (cloud storage, email to yourself) removes the risk of a single point of failure.
Ask a witness to be present, for larger sums
For a large cash payment — a deposit, several months at once — having a third party present when the money is handed over adds another layer of verification if it's ever needed.
Consider switching to bank transfer going forward
If cash payments keep creating friction or anxiety about proof, moving to bank transfer removes the problem entirely — most landlords are open to it, and it benefits both sides with an automatic, dated record.