Should I Offer to Extend Rent Due Date?

Should I Offer to Extend Rent Due Date?

Cassie ChunPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Mililani, HI · Member since 2018 · 51 posts · 26 votes

I’ve noticed that one of my tenants consistently pays the rent on the 5th of each month. My lease states that rent is due on the 1st of the month with a 3 day grace period (this tenant specifically asked for 3 days). I’m guessing pay day is on the 5th. On the 5th of each month I get rent + late fee automatically deposited into my account. Should I offer to extend the grace period to coincide with pay day? I feel bad about collecting a late fee each month for rent being 1 day late, especially for someone who appears to be living paycheck to paycheck.

If anyone has experience with this specific situation and decided to be more accommodating, how did things work out?

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y

Don't change your processes for individual tenants. If you say rent is due on the first and he pays on the 5th, odds are you will change it to the 5th and he'll pay on the 10th. Leave it.

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  • John MorganPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    @Cassie Chun

    Three of my tenants pay me around the 5th or 6th of the month. Great tenants and treat my properties great. They rarely ever call me for maintenance problems. They take care of most of the smaller stuff themselves and don’t bother me because I help them out by being flexible on the rent date for them. I don’t ever want to see them leave. I don’t have a problem with this at all. I would rather have good tenants like this than problem tenants who pay on the first of the month and call about little issues all the time.

  • Property Manager · Henderson, NV · Member since 2018 · 501 posts · 317 votes
    7y

    I would suggest following the lease contract.  This ensures that everyone, current and past tenants, are being treated equally.  Following the lease contract protects you as well.   My answer is "due to fair housing laws" it would be very difficult to make an exception on the rent due date.  Something to consider is developing a policy (preferably in writing) where you will waive one late fee every twelve months.

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