Dealing with LATE fees

[Agustin Conti]

Hi, I have a Tenant who is good but have paid a few times (only a few days) late in the past on occasions. So to discourage this behavior I have increased the late fee on the renewal of the lease to $250 (if rent is not paid by the 5th) AND $50 per day starting on the 7th. He makes stupid excuses.,like I reached my limit on Zelle or ..today my mom is in the hospital and the bank is closed..I'll pay as soon as I can etc.. Which I hate. I would have prefer a much more open and honest communication like "I can't pay today but I will on the  6th, etc" Because In the past I have not applied the late fee, I sent a reminder at the beginning of the year (2025) that rent needs to be paid on time and I will enforce the late penalty. I also sent a reminder on the subsequent months about this. Now he is late again and have paid half of the rent. (its the 7th as I am writing this) This is the first time I am dealing with this situation. The question is HOW do I enforce the penalty if he does not send the money? what is the standard and formal procedure. I don't want to take it out of the security deposit. I want the money.  I sent several reminders and a clear message about this and need to stay firm and set the boundary clearly. Suggestions? Thanks

[Keith Jablonowski]

If he is really trying and eventually pays in full every month and it is truly a timing issue with him getting paid you could consider changing the due date on his lease or accepting multiple payments throughout the month.   

But if he is just being difficult and he owes anything more than 30 days then don't mess around.  Serve the proper pay or quit notice for your state and if he doesn't pay start the eviction process.

But you need to enforce the late fees regardless.   You can give a 1 time get out of jail free card but after that if rent is due on the 1st and late on the 5th, then on the 6th the late fee get's added, do not budge on this.  If you do he knows he can work you.