My Landlord Says I Owe For “missing Rent” From A Month I Have Bank Proof I Paid

Location: Pennsylvania

I rent an apartment in a small building and have been here for almost two years. I pay rent by bank transfer every month, usually a few days early. I’ve never been late and I have confirmation emails from the payment portal plus my bank statements showing the withdrawals.

Last week I got an email from my landlord saying their records show I never paid rent for March and that I need to pay it immediately along with a late fee. I checked my bank account and the money definitely left my account on March 1st. The payment portal also shows a completed payment for that month with a confirmation number. I sent screenshots of both to the landlord and asked if maybe it was applied to the wrong unit or there was an accounting error.

He replied that “their ledger is what matters” and that if I don’t pay the balance within 7 days, they will start the process for nonpayment. I called the payment portal company and they said the payment was successfully processed, but they told me they can only provide details to the property owner unless I submit a formal request. I have saved every email and screenshot, but I’m worried because the landlord is acting like my proof doesn’t matter at all.

Can a landlord move forward with eviction or fees when I have proof the payment was made? Should I send something by certified mail, or is email enough? I’m not trying to be difficult, I just don’t want to pay rent twice for the same month and then fight to get it back later.