late rent check - WWYD

eacerna · October 2009

So I have renters in my condo. They moved in last December and have never been late in sending their rent checks. The rent is due every 5th of the month and most of the time their check arrives in the mail exactly on the 5th. I checked my mails yesterday and no rent check. I emailed them to confirm whether they sent it out or not. They said they sent it out Saturday which should have arrived yesterday, Monday, but it didn't. I got the check in the mail today and it was postmarked Oct 5th (yesterday's date). Should I charge them the late fee? They had been good renters and have not been late in their rent. Not sure if I'll let this slide or just follow what's in the lease which is to have them pay a late fee if rent check is received after the 5th. WWYD?

husky422 · October 2009

as a fellow landlord...no, don't charge them the late fee. our renter doesn't even pay til the 10th or some craziness like that...wtf! if they are good renters you want them to stay...in this market they have A LOT of choices. i really can't stand my tennant but i'm very grateful she is renting my house.

i would let it go.

adpilove · October 2009

I would let it slide this one time. But I would also remind her of it. You don't want someone taking advantage of you either. There's always a nice way of putting things and getting your point across. Let's hope this was a one time thing and this won't be an issue anymore.

My renter is late every month. She doesn't even think twice. She just sends the late fee every time.

msmoore27 · October 2009

yeah, I would just let it go. Even though it was postmarked just yesterday, it was only one day late. If you get it late three months in a row, or if it is more than a couple of days late, then I think it's a problem you could bring up, but I really wouldn't push it with just one day one time.

lelekay · October 2009

I wouldn't charge them, unless it happens again.

myday1708 · October 2009

I agree... Not charge this time, but definitely remind them or make it clear that you are giving them a pass this time but that you'll need to charge them next time.

Can you have them direct deposit? That's what our tenants do. Well one of them does and her roommate mailed us a stack of post-dated checks so that we can deposit one a month on the 1st of the month.

SBMBride406 · October 2009

I would let it go this one time. Its possible they had something unusual going on this month and forgot and sent it the second you reminded them (not wanting to say "I forgot"). Can you ask them to do automatic bill pay? That's what I do for my landlord (my bank sends a check to her account automatically every month on the same day).

Amy4773 · October 2009

adpilove:

I would let it slide this one time. But I would also remind her of it. You don't want someone taking advantage of you either. There's always a nice way of putting things and getting your point across. Let's hope this was a one time thing and this won't be an issue anymore.

My renter is late every month. She doesn't even think twice. She just sends the late fee every time.

Ditto this! Sarah and I can share some HORRID tenant stories. Hell, mine are still paying for August.

Amy4773 · October 2009

The other thing is, they may have dropped in the mailbox on Saturday but the mail had already been picked up. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt the first time.

lola808 · October 2009

I would let it slide, but I would also let them know that you waived the late fee this time.

In my business, I would sometimes have trouble with last minute cancellations and/or late payments. At first I just tolerated it, but then certain clients continued to do it. My solution was to indicate in writing that the fee was waved on the next such incidence. Now, since they have been reminded that there IS a penalty for lateness, should they do it again, I won't feel bad about charging.

mrs.winter · October 2009

Amy4773:
The other thing is, they may have dropped in the mailbox on Saturday but the mail had already been picked up. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt the first time.

This is what I was thinking too. I'd let this one slide....

redshoegirl · October 2009

myday1708:
I agree... Not charge this time, but definitely remind them or make it clear that you are giving them a pass this time but that you'll need to charge them next time.

Agreed. I'd tell them "no problem, it did arrive late but because they've been great tenants and are always on time, I'm not going to worry about a late fee this time." That way they know they're appreciated, but that you don't want it to happen all the time - and from what you've said of them, I don't think it will.

jaysgirljulie · October 2009

I would let it go. If it were me, I wouldn't even say anything since it was postmarked by the 5th.

eacerna · October 2009

Thanks ladies! I emailed them and let them know I'll let it slide this time but reminded that I'll charge a late fee if this happens again :-).

Married2MrWright · October 2009

I wouldn't charge them a late fee, but I would email them back and let them know that you got the check but the envelope was postmarked the 5th which is why it arrived to you today. You can ask them to be sure that when they mail it they are sure it will arrive to you on time.

late rent check - WWYD

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