Late fee dates when using electronic payment systems

[Yvonne H.]

For those of you with experience using online payment systems that use ACH, such as cozy, appfolio, etc:

On our contracts, rent is due on the first, but late fee is only assessed if paid after the 5th. WIth that in mind, what date is the "paid date"? If a tenant submits on the first, but money comes into the landlord's account only on the 6th (let's say there's a weekend in between), is the tenant considered late? In other words, do you go by submit date, or by received in your account date?

I currently have a debate going with another property manager. He uses received in his account date. I say the date the tenant submits, they have paid. They didn't choose the ACH system, so that's on us. Tenant can't control how long ACH takes.

Does anyone have an "official" answer about this?

Thank in advance.