Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

LATE FEES
© 1991-2003 by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
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Can my landlord charge me late fees if I do not pay my rent on time?

        Your landlord can ask you to pay late fees only if you have agreed to pay them and he or she does not ask you to pay an amount that is too high.

How might I have agreed to pay late fees?

        You may have agreed to pay late fees in one of several ways:

1. Your lease or a rental agreement may allow the landlord to charge a late fee. Look carefully at the agreement you signed.

2. Even if you don't have a lease (or your lease doesn't say anything about late fees), if your landlord has charged you late fees before and you have paid them, you may have agreed to pay late fees.

3. If your landlord told you before you moved in that he or she would charge late fees, you may have agreed to pay late fees.

        If your landlord has never mentioned late fees before and you have never paid them, you probably have not agreed to pay late fees.

If I have agreed to pay late fees, can my landlord charge me any amount she wants?

        No. Your landlord can only charge the amount you have agreed to pay. Even if you have agreed to pay late fees, your landlord can only charge you an amount that is reasonable.

What is a reasonable amount to charge as a late fee?

        A judge can decide whether the amount you are being charged as a late fee is unreasonable. If you have agreed to pay more than $1.00 a day, the amount may be unreasonable.

Can my landlord evict me if I do not pay late fees?

        Your landlord can evict you for nonpayment of late fees only if

1. You have agreed to pay a late fee; AND

2. The amount of the late fee is reasonable; AND

3. You have a lease or written agreement that says late fees could be charged as additional rent; AND

4. Your landlord takes you to court.

If the above situation applies to me, can I pay the late fees in court and stop the eviction?

        Yes. If the court decides that your landlord can evict you for nonpayment of rent for not paying late fees, you may stop the eviction by paying the money you owe your landlord on the day you go to court. You may also have to pay court costs. You should bring cash or a money order to court with you.

Are there other ways my landlord may use to evict me if I do not pay late fees?

        Yes. If you have a lease, read it carefully to see what your landlord may do if you refuse to pay late fees.

        If you do not have a lease, your landlord may give you a one month notice to vacate for refusing to pay late fees.

        Call your local legal services office if you have questions about late fees or if you receive a notice of eviction or court papers from your landlord.

        If you get a notice from your landlord, or court papers, DO NOT IGNORE THEM. Contact Neighborhood Legal Services for assistance.

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