Late Rent Notice: Free Template for Landlords

As a landlord, you understand the importance of collecting rent on time. Late payments or non-payment can have serious financial consequences for both you and your tenant. Knowing how to draft a late rent notice can help ensure that your tenants understands their obligation and take action to resolve any potential lease violations in a timely manner.

In this article, we’ll be discussing best practices for creating a well-crafted late rent notice so that it firmly yet politely requests payment from your tenant while also protecting your rights as a landlord.

What Is a Late Rent Notice?

A late rent notice is a formal written communication sent by a landlord to a tenant who has missed the deadline for their rent payment.This notice informs the tenant that their rent payment is now overdue and reminds them of their obligation to pay rent within the agreed payment period. It may also include any late fees or penalties that the tenant may have incurred due to non-payment. The purpose of a past due rent notice is to prompt the tenant to take immediate action to pay their outstanding rent and avoid further consequences, such as eviction or legal action.

What to Include in a Late Rent Notice

While the details of a notice of late rent can vary, it should always include the following information:

• The issue date of the past due notice
• Your tenant’s name
• The address of the rental property
• The date rent was due, according to the lease agreement
• The current balance owed by your tenant
• Any incurred late fees or penalties

If you’re unsure where to get started, look at the template for late payment notice below.

Late Rent Notice Template

Your rental delinquency notice should be well thought-out. To avoid forgetting any of the necessities, follow this template.

When Should You Deliver a Late Rent Notice?

City and state rental laws will help you determine when to deliver a letter of past due rent. Look for any details about grace periods your local jurisdiction might allow. Always ensure you follow the legal route before issuing a late rent letter.

Late Rent Notice vs. Pay or Quit Notice

Late rent notices and pay or quit notices are two different types of letters that a landlord can issue to tenants who have failed to pay rent on time.

A late rent notice is a formal notification that informs the tenant that their rent payment is overdue. It reminds them of their obligation to pay rent within the agreed payment period and may include any late fees or penalties that the tenant may have incurred. On the other hand, a pay or quit notice is a legal document that demands the tenant to either pay the outstanding rent or vacate the rental property within a specified time frame, usually 3 to 5 days. If the tenant fails to comply with the pay or quit notice, the landlord may take legal action to evict the tenant from the property.

How to Avoid Late Rent Payments

Here are a few helpful tip to help you avoid the hassle and financial strain of late rent payments:

Send Rent Reminders

Helping to prevent late rent payments from happening in the first place is an excellent way to handle them. Keeping a tenant on track may be as simple as sending a quick monthly rent reminder.

Charge Late Fees

Enforcing late fees written out in your lease agreements is another helpful habit. The most non-confrontational way to enforce and collect those fees is by using a rent payment program online that automatically charges and collects late fees.

Use Rent Payment Apps

With everyone online, it is no surprise that rent payment apps can provide significant relief for landlords. Utilize these apps to set up rent payment reminders before rent is due and to help enforce charging and collecting late fees for delinquent payments.

Final Thoughts

All landlords should understand the basics of a late rent notice and how to avoid late rent payments in the future. Now that you know what is included in a late rent notice and when to send one, take time to make adjustments and execute the notice on your own. Your tenants will appreciate the extra effort, while you will benefit from reducing instances of unpaid or late rent payments.

Remember to use Apartment List to find high-quality tenants who can be reliable rental signers in your unit. It’s worth investing a few minutes of your time so you can start off on the right foot with monthly rent payment!