Collecting late fees...

[James Erickson]

I'm taking over management of a 6 unit apartment building and I'm concerned about late fees.  A couple tenants habitually pay late.  The previous manager did not collect late fees ever even though penalties are spelled out in the lease.  My question is what legal precedent was set by not enforcing the lease as regards to late fees?  My other question is when I start enforcing late fees, what do you do if the tenants do not pay them, evict?

[Max T.]

Just because it was not enforced in the past does not mean you can't enforce now.

Perhaps a meeting or phone call with the late paying tenants before they pay late is in order.

You already know what you should do if tenants don't pay the late fees. Good luck!