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    Free late rent notice template (past-due rent letter)

    A late rent notice is a short, written letter from a landlord telling the tenant that rent is past due: it names the rent period, the amount still owed, any late fee the lease allows, the total due, how to pay and the date you're asking to be paid by. It is a reminder, not an eviction notice, so it stays firm and factual without threatening to end the tenancy. Fill in the form below to print one, and pick your state to see its late-fee limit and grace period.

    Last reviewed: · by MakeLease Editorial Team

    Late Rent Notice generator

    Parties

    Everyone named on the lease. Separate names with commas.

    Where the tenant can reach you about the balance or a payment already sent.

    State

    Shows your state's late-fee and grace-period rules under the late fee field. Nothing about the state is printed in the notice.

    Amount due

    The month (or other period) the unpaid rent is for.

    $
    $

    Anything the tenant already paid toward this period's rent.

    Leave empty if the lease has no grace period.

    $

    Only charge a late fee your lease provides for, in the amount it sets. Pick a state above to see its late-fee rule.

    Only charges the lease allows, such as a returned-payment fee.

    Payment

    The date you're asking the tenant to pay the balance by.

    Use the payment methods your lease allows.

    Details

    For example, an offer to talk about a payment date. Keep it factual.

    A neutral sentence; it does not threaten eviction or name a deadline set by law.

    Blank PDF

    Free, no account needed. Showing example details. Replace them with yours.

    Late Rent Notice

    Notice of past-due rent

    Date of notice:November 7, 2026
    Rental property:123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield
    To (tenants):Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera
    From (landlord or agent):Jordan Ellis

    Dear Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera:

    This notice is to let you know that the rent for November 2026 at 123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield, which was due on November 1, 2026, has not been received in full as of the date of this notice. Your lease provides a grace period of 5 days, which has ended.

    Amount due

    ItemAmount
    Rent for November 2026$1,800
    Late fee (lease Section 4)$75
    Total amount due$1,875

    The late fee is charged under the late-fee terms of your lease (Section 4). If you believe any amount above is wrong, please contact me so we can review it.

    How to pay

    Please pay the total amount due of $1,875 by November 14, 2026.

    Pay through the online payment portal, or by check or money order payable to Jordan Ellis, mailed or delivered to 500 Oak Avenue, Springfield.

    If you have already sent this payment, thank you; please let me know the date and method so I can match it to your account. If you are having trouble paying, please contact me as soon as possible at (555) 010-2030 so we can talk about it.

    This notice is a reminder of the balance owed under your lease. If the balance is not paid, any further steps will be those allowed by the lease and by the law of the state where the property is located.

    Sincerely,

    Landlord or agent signature (Jordan Ellis)
    Date

    Mailing address: 500 Oak Avenue, Springfield

    Delivery record

    This notice was delivered on __________ by (check one):

    • [ ] Hand delivery to the tenant
    • [ ] First-class mail
    • [ ] Certified mail, return receipt requested (tracking no. ____________________)
    • [ ] Email or other method allowed by the lease: ____________________
    Person delivering signature
    Date

    Made free at make.lease/forms/late-rent-notice

    What to include in a late rent notice

    • Who it's from and to. The landlord's or manager's name and every tenant named on the lease, plus the rental address and unit.
    • The rent period and due date. For example, "rent for November 2026, due November 1, 2026." If the lease has a grace period, say that it has ended.
    • An itemized balance. Rent for the period, minus any partial payment, plus the late fee and any other charge the lease allows, and the total. This form adds it up for you.
    • Only the late fee your lease provides for. Name the lease section if you can. Your state may cap the fee or require a grace period first; see the table below.
    • How and where to pay, and a pay-by date. The payment methods the lease allows, the address or portal, and a specific date.
    • A way to reach you. A phone number or email, with an invitation to get in touch if the tenant already paid or is having trouble paying.
    • Your signature and a delivery record. Note how and when you delivered it and keep a copy.

    Late fees and grace periods: what the law says

    Whether you can charge a late fee, how much, and how soon after the due date depends on your state, sometimes your city or county, and your lease. State rules fall into three broad groups:

    • A numeric cap. For example, New York law says a landlord may not demand a late fee unless rent has not been paid within five days of its due date, and the fee "shall not exceed fifty dollars or five percent of the monthly rent, whichever is less" (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(2)).
    • A reasonableness standard. Some states set no number but require the fee to be reasonable or a fair estimate of the landlord's actual costs, and some require it to be in a written lease.
    • No statute. Many states have no late-fee statute at all, so the lease controls, though a court can still refuse to enforce a fee it finds unreasonable or unconscionable in some of those states.

    A grace period is the number of days after the due date before a late fee can be charged. Some states require one (from 2 days in Texas to 30 days in Massachusetts); most leave it to the lease. If your lease gives a longer grace period than your state requires, follow the lease. The form warns you if the notice is dated inside the grace period you enter, or inside your state's grace period when you pick a state.

    Subsidized and public housing

    Federal program rules can add requirements. For public housing, the federal lease rule lets the housing authority's lease provide for late-payment penalties, and requires the lease to say that those charges are not due and collectible until two weeks after the authority gives written notice of them (24 CFR 966.4(b)(3)-(4)). Some states also limit the fee on subsidized tenancies; North Carolina and Minnesota, for example, calculate it on the tenant's share of the rent only (see the table). If your tenant pays rent with a voucher or other subsidy, check your program documents before charging a late fee.

    The state rules on this page are short summaries of each statute, with a link to the official text. They were last checked on 2026-10-26, 2026-10-30, have not been reviewed by an attorney, and city or county rules can be stricter (Chicago and Montgomery County, Maryland are two examples noted in the table).

    Late fee limits and grace periods by state

    The late-fee rule and grace period for all 50 states and DC, summarized from each statute. Click through to the official text before relying on a rule, and see our late fee laws by state for more detail.

    StateLate-fee ruleGrace periodOfficial textChecked
    AlabamaAlabama sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so the fee must be in the rental agreement and a court can refuse to enforce an unconscionable one (Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-161, 35-9A-143).None in state lawAlabama law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due at the time agreed in the lease (Ala. Code § 35-9A-161(c)).Late fee2026-10-26
    AlaskaAlaska's landlord-tenant act sets no late-fee cap, so a late fee must be agreed in the lease in advance and should reasonably approximate the landlord's actual costs (AS 34.03.020).None in state lawAlaska law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due at the time agreed in the lease (AS 34.03.020(c)).Late fee2026-10-26
    ArizonaArizona sets no numeric late-fee cap, but a landlord may only collect a late fee that is reasonable and set forth in a written rental agreement (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)).None in state lawArizona has no statutory grace period, so a late fee in a written lease can apply the day after rent is due, though rent must remain unpaid five days after a written notice before the landlord can file to evict (A.R.S. §§ 33-1314(C), 33-1368(B)).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    ArkansasArkansas sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so any late fee must be in the rental agreement and should be a reasonable estimate of the landlord's costs (Ark. Code Ann. tit. 18, ch. 16-17).None in state lawArkansas law sets no grace period before a residential late fee may be charged, so the lease's due date and any lease grace period control (Ark. Code Ann. tit. 18, ch. 17).Late fee2026-10-26
    CaliforniaCalifornia sets no numeric late-fee cap, but a residential late fee is enforceable only if it is a reasonable estimate of the landlord's actual costs from late payment that would be hard to calculate, so keep fees modest and document how you set them (Cal. Civ. Code § 1671(d); Orozco v. Casimiro (2004) 121 Cal.App.4th Supp. 7).None in state lawCalifornia law does not require a grace period before a late fee can be charged, though leases commonly allow until the 5th (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940–1954.535 contain no grace-period rule).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    ColoradoA late fee cannot exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the past-due rent, must be stated in the lease, and cannot be charged more than once per late payment beyond that total (C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1)(b), (c), (g)).7 daysDo not charge a late fee until rent is at least seven calendar days late (C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1)(a)).Late fee2026-10-26
    ConnecticutA late fee must be in a written lease and may not exceed the lesser of $5 per day up to $50 or 5% of the late rent, charged only once per late payment (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a(b)).9 daysA late fee may be charged only on rent paid after the 9-day grace period (4 days for week-to-week tenancies), plus 5 more days in a month when the landlord's online payment system prevents on-time payment (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a).Late fee2026-10-26
    DelawareIf the lease provides for a late charge, it may not exceed 5% of the monthly rent (25 Del. C. § 5501(d)).5 daysA late charge may not be imposed within 5 days after rent is due, and the due date moves 3 days later if the landlord has no office in the unit's county where rent can be paid (25 Del. C. § 5501(d)).Late fee2026-10-26
    District of ColumbiaA landlord may charge a late fee of no more than 5% of the rent due, only once per late payment and only if the written lease states the maximum fee (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31(a)-(c)).5 daysA late fee may be charged only if the full rent is still unpaid 5 days after the due date, or after any longer grace period in the lease (D.C. Code § 42-3505.31(b)(2)).Late fee2026-10-26
    FloridaFlorida sets no cap on residential late fees; the fee must be in the lease and a court can refuse to enforce an unconscionable fee (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.43(12), 83.45).None in state lawFlorida law requires no grace period before a late fee; rent is due on the date the lease sets (Fla. Stat. § 83.46(1)).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    GeorgiaGeorgia has no statute capping residential late fees, so any late fee must be stated in the lease and kept reasonable to be enforceable (O.C.G.A. ch. 44-7 is silent).None in state lawGeorgia law does not require a grace period before a late fee, but a landlord must give a 3-business-day pay-or-vacate notice before filing for eviction for unpaid rent (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(c)).Late fee2026-10-26
    HawaiiA late charge may not exceed 8% of the rent due (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(f)).None in state lawHawaii law sets no grace period before a late charge may be imposed; rent is due when the rental agreement says (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-21(b), (f)).Late fee2026-10-26
    IdahoLate fees must be reasonable and may not exceed the amount stated in the rental agreement, and a new or higher fee under a written lease requires 30 days' written notice (Idaho Code § 55-305).None in state lawIdaho law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the rental agreement controls (Idaho Code § 55-305, silent).Late fee2026-10-26
    IllinoisIllinois has no statewide cap on residential late fees, so any fee should be stated in the lease and reasonable; Chicago and suburban Cook County impose their own caps (765 ILCS 705).None in state lawIllinois law sets no grace period before a residential late fee may be charged; follow the lease and any local ordinance (765 ILCS 705).Late fee2026-10-26
    IndianaIndiana sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so the fee comes from the lease (Ind. Code 32-31, silent).None in state lawIndiana law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (Ind. Code 32-31, silent).Late fee2026-10-26
    IowaLate fees may not exceed $12 per day or $60 per month when rent is $700 or less, or $20 per day or $100 per month when rent is more than $700 (Iowa Code § 562A.9(4)).None in state lawIowa law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due when the rental agreement says (Iowa Code § 562A.9(3), (4)).Late fee2026-10-26
    KansasKansas sets no statutory cap on residential late fees; any late charge must be in the rental agreement (K.S.A. 58-2545(a), silent on late fees).None in state lawKansas law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due when the agreement says (K.S.A. 58-2545(c)).Late fee2026-10-26
    KentuckyKentucky sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so the fee comes from the lease (KRS ch. 383, silent).None in state lawKentucky law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (KRS ch. 383, silent).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    LouisianaLouisiana has no statute capping residential late fees, but a fee is owed only if the lease provides for it and an unreasonably high fee can be challenged (La. R.S. 9:3251 et seq.).None in state lawLouisiana law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (La. R.S. 9:3251 et seq.).Late fee2026-10-26
    MaineA late fee may not exceed 4% of one month's rent and may be charged only if the tenant was told in writing at move-in that such a fee may apply (14 M.R.S. § 6028(2)-(3)).15 daysRent is not legally late, and no late fee may be charged, until it is more than 15 days past due (14 M.R.S. § 6028(1)).Late fee2026-10-26
    MarylandA lease may not impose a late fee greater than 5% of the unpaid rent for that period, or for weekly rentals more than $3 a week and $12 a month (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)).None in state lawMaryland state law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged, though Montgomery County requires rent to be more than 10 days late (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208).Late fee2026-10-26
    MassachusettsMassachusetts sets no maximum late-fee amount, but no interest or penalty may be charged until rent is 30 days late (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(c)).30 daysNo lease may charge interest or a penalty for late rent until 30 days after the rent was due (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(c)).Late fee2026-10-26
    MichiganMichigan has no statute capping late fees, but a fee must be reasonable and proportionate to the landlord's actual damages from late payment (MCL 554.601 et seq.).None in state lawMichigan law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (MCL 554.601 et seq.).Late fee2026-10-26
    MinnesotaA late fee is allowed only if the lease says so in writing and states when it applies, and it may not exceed 8% of the overdue rent payment (Minn. Stat. § 504B.177).None in state lawMinnesota requires no grace period, so a late fee may apply the day after rent is due if the written lease says when the fee is charged (Minn. Stat. § 504B.177).Late fee2026-10-26
    MississippiMississippi has no statute capping residential late fees, though courts may refuse to enforce an unreasonable fee (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-1 et seq.).None in state lawMississippi law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls (Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-1 et seq.).Late fee2026-10-30
    MissouriMissouri has no statute capping residential late fees, so the fee is set by the lease but should be reasonable (RSMo chs. 441 and 535 contain no late-fee limit).None in state lawMissouri law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (RSMo chs. 441 and 535 contain no grace-period rule).Late fee2026-10-26
    MontanaMontana has no statute capping residential late fees, but a court may refuse to enforce an unconscionable lease term (MCA § 70-24-404).None in state lawMontana law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (MCA Title 70, ch. 24 is silent).Late fee2026-10-26
    NebraskaNebraska has no statute capping residential late fees, so any fee must be set in the rental agreement (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1414, 76-1415 contain no late-fee limit).None in state lawNebraska law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414 is silent).Late fee2026-10-26
    NevadaLate fees must be stated in the rental agreement, be reasonable, and not exceed 5% of the periodic rent (NRS 118A.210(4)).3 daysIn tenancies longer than week to week, landlords may not charge a late fee until at least 3 calendar days after rent is due (NRS 118A.210(4)(a)).Late fee2026-10-26
    New HampshireNew Hampshire has no statute capping residential late fees, so the amount comes from the lease (RSA chs. 540 and 540-A contain no late-fee limit).None in state lawNew Hampshire law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (RSA chs. 540 and 540-A are silent).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    New JerseyNew Jersey has no statewide cap on residential late fees, but the fee must be stated in the lease and courts treat it as rent in eviction cases only when the lease says so (DCA Truth in Renting, pp. 2–3).5 daysOnly tenants who are seniors receiving Social Security or equivalent government pensions, or who receive SSDI, SSI or Work First New Jersey benefits, and whose rent is due on the 1st, get a statutory 5-business-day grace period before a late fee; other New Jersey tenants have no statutory grace period (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6.1, -6.3).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    New MexicoIf the lease provides for one, a late fee may not exceed 5% of the rent for each rental period in default, must be calculated on rent alone, and must be noticed by the last day of the following rental period (NMSA 1978 § 47-8-15(D)).None in state lawNew Mexico sets no grace period: a lease-authorized late fee may be charged once rent is not paid as the rental agreement requires (NMSA 1978 § 47-8-15(B), (D)).Late fee2026-10-26
    New YorkA late fee may not exceed the lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(2)).5 daysA late fee may be charged only if rent is still unpaid five days after its due date (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(2)).Late fee2026-10-26
    North CarolinaFor monthly rent, a late fee may not exceed the greater of $15 or 5% of the monthly rent (weekly rent: greater of $4 or 5%), charged only once per late payment (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)-(b)).5 daysA late fee may be charged only once rent is five calendar days or more late, counting the day after the due date as day one, so rent due on the 1st can incur a fee no earlier than the 6th (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-46(a)).Late fee2026-10-26
    North DakotaNorth Dakota has no statutory cap on residential late fees, but a lease late fee must be a reasonable pre-estimate of damages, since contract clauses fixing damages in advance are void unless actual damages are impracticable to fix (N.D.C.C. § 9-08-04).None in state lawNorth Dakota law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the lease controls when rent is due and when a late fee applies (N.D.C.C. ch. 47-16).Late fee2026-10-26
    OhioOhio has no statutory late-fee cap, but courts strike or reduce late fees that are unreasonable penalties or unconscionable, so keep fees modest and spelled out in the lease (R.C. 5321.14; Drake Townhomes v. Woodberry, 2017-Ohio-6968).None in state lawOhio law requires no grace period before a late fee, so any grace period comes from the lease (R.C. Chapter 5321 is silent).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    OklahomaOklahoma has no fixed late-fee cap, but the Oklahoma Supreme Court held that a $5-per-day late charge on top of a $20 late fee was a void penalty absent proof of the landlord's actual costs, so fees must be a reasonable estimate of real costs (Sun Ridge Investors, Ltd. v. Parker, 1998 OK 22; 15 O.S. §§ 213-215).None in state lawOklahoma law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the 5-day period in 41 O.S. § 131(B) applies only to terminating the lease after a written demand for rent (41 O.S. §§ 109, 131).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    OregonA late fee must be set out in a written rental agreement and may not exceed a reasonable flat fee, a daily fee of up to 6% of that flat fee, or 5% of the rent per five-day period late (ORS 90.260(1)–(2)).4 daysA late fee may be charged only if rent is still unpaid by the end of the fourth day of the rental period, so the earliest fee is on day 5 (ORS 90.260(1)(a)).Late fee2026-10-26
    PennsylvaniaPennsylvania has no statute capping residential late fees, but the Attorney General advises that late fees should not be excessive and should bear a reasonable relation to the landlord's costs (Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, 68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq., silent).None in state lawPennsylvania law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged, so the lease controls (Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, 68 P.S. § 250.101 et seq., silent).Late fee2026-10-26
    Rhode IslandRhode Island sets no cap on residential late fees, but any fee beyond rent must be disclosed in the lease's rent section and a court may refuse to enforce an unconscionable term (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-15(a)(1), 34-18-13).None in state lawRhode Island sets no late-fee grace period; the 15-day period in R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a) only controls when a landlord may send a nonpayment eviction notice.Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    South CarolinaSouth Carolina sets no cap on residential late fees; the Act treats agreed late charges as part of rent, so the amount is set by the lease (S.C. Code §§ 27-40-210(11), 27-40-310(a)).None in state lawSouth Carolina sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the five-day period in S.C. Code § 27-40-710(B) only controls when a landlord may terminate the lease for nonpayment.Late fee2026-10-26
    South DakotaSouth Dakota sets no cap on residential late fees; any late fee is whatever the lease provides (SDCL ch. 43-32, silent).None in state lawSouth Dakota sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due when the lease says (SDCL § 43-32-12).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    TennesseeIn URLTA counties, a late fee, however described, may not exceed 10% of the amount of rent past due (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d)).5 daysIn URLTA counties, no late fee may be charged until a 5-day grace period has run, counting the due date as day one, and if the fifth day is a Sunday or legal holiday no fee may be charged when rent is paid the next business day (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d)).Late fee2026-10-26
    TexasA late fee must be in a written lease and reasonable, which the statute presumes for fees up to 12% of rent in buildings of 4 or fewer units or 10% in buildings of more than 4 units (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019(a), (a-1)).2 daysA landlord may not charge a late fee until rent has stayed unpaid two full days after the due date, so rent due on the 1st can be charged a late fee on the 4th at the earliest (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019(a)(3)).Late fee2026-10-26
    UtahA late fee may not exceed the greater of 10% of the rent stated in the rental agreement or $75, and must be agreed to in the rental agreement (Utah Code § 57-22-4(5)).None in state lawUtah law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; any grace period comes from the rental agreement (Utah Code § 57-22-4(5) is silent on timing).Late fee2026-10-26
    VermontVermont sets no statutory cap on residential late fees; a late fee should be written into the lease and reasonably related to the landlord's cost of collection rather than a penalty, and lease terms that circumvent the chapter are void (9 V.S.A. §§ 4454, 4455).None in state lawVermont law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due at the time agreed in the lease (9 V.S.A. § 4455(a)).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    VirginiaA late fee may be charged only if the written lease provides for it and may not exceed the lesser of 10% of the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance owed (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(E)).None in state lawVirginia sets no mandatory grace period for written leases, so a late fee provided in the lease may apply once rent is past due; only when there is no written lease is rent late after the fifth of the month (Va. Code § 55.1-1204(C)(4)-(5), (E)).Late fee2026-10-26
    WashingtonWashington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act sets no dollar or percentage cap on late fees for apartments and rental houses, only a 5-day grace period (RCW 59.18.170).5 daysLandlords may not charge a late fee for rent paid within five days after its due date; after that, fees may run from the first day after the due date (RCW 59.18.170(2)).Late fee2026-10-26
    West VirginiaWest Virginia sets no numeric cap on residential late fees, but only reasonable late charges specified in the rental agreement may be taken from the deposit (W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2(b)(1)).None in state lawWest Virginia law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; timing follows the rental agreement (W. Va. Code arts. 37-6 and 37-6A contain no grace period).Late fee
    Grace period    		2026-10-26
    WisconsinWisconsin sets no numeric cap on late fees, but a landlord may charge one only as specifically provided in the rental agreement, must first apply any rent prepayment, and may not charge a fee for not paying a late fee (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8)).None in state lawWisconsin law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; the rental agreement controls (Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(8)).Late fee2026-10-26
    WyomingWyoming sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so the fee must come from the rental agreement and should be reasonable to be enforced (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211 contain no late-fee rule).None in state lawWyoming law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; any grace period comes from the rental agreement (Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1201 to -1211).Late fee2026-10-26

    Worked example: rent due on the 1st, notice on the 7th

    The rent is $1,800 a month, due on the 1st. The lease gives a 5-day grace period and sets a $75 late fee. The tenant hasn't paid November's rent by the end of the grace period, so the landlord sends the notice on November 7.

    StepResult
    Rent dueNovember 1, 2026: $1,800
    Lease grace period (5 days)Runs through November 6
    Late fee under the lease$75
    Notice datedNovember 7, 2026
    Total due$1,875 ($1,800 rent + $75 late fee)
    Pay-by date in the noticeNovember 14, 2026

    If the tenant had paid $1,000 on November 3, the form would show "Less partial payment received ($1,000)" and a total of $875.

    The same $75 fee in two states

    • New York: the cap is the lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent. 5% of $1,800 is $90, so the cap is $50 and a $75 fee would be over it (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(2)). Pick New York in the form and it flags this.
    • North Carolina: for monthly rent the cap is the greater of $15 or 5% of the rent, which is $90 here, so $75 is within it, and the fee can be charged once rent is five days late (see the table).

    The form only computes a dollar cap where the statute gives a clear number for a monthly tenancy. Where the rule depends on other facts (Texas uses the number of units in the building, Oregon allows three different fee methods, Tennessee's rule applies only in some counties), it shows the summary instead.

    A late rent notice is not a pay-or-quit notice

    This form tells the tenant what is owed and asks them to pay. It does not end the tenancy or start an eviction. A pay-or-quit notice (also called a pay-or-vacate notice, rent demand or notice to pay rent or quit) is different: it is a notice set out in state law that gives the tenant a fixed number of days to pay or leave, and where a state requires one, it has to be served before the landlord can file an eviction case for unpaid rent. The number of days, the required wording and the delivery rules vary by state. For example:

    • Arizona: the landlord may end the rental agreement if rent is not paid within five days after a written notice that states the landlord's intention to terminate (A.R.S. § 33-1368(B)).
    • New York: a written rent demand with at least fourteen days' notice, requiring payment or possession, must be served before a nonpayment case; the current version also requires specific statements in the demand (N.Y. RPAPL § 711(2)).
    • Washington: the written notice to pay rent or surrender the premises gives three days after service in general and fourteen days for tenancies under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.12.030(3)).

    Some federally connected properties have an extra rule: under 15 U.S.C. 9058(c), the lessor of a "covered dwelling" (for example, one in a property with a federally backed mortgage or in certain federal housing programs) may not require the tenant to vacate before 30 days after giving a notice to vacate.

    We don't generate pay-or-quit notices because their content and timing are set state by state. If rent is still unpaid after this reminder, start with your state's page in our state landlord-tenant law guides, and consider getting local advice before serving a statutory notice.

    Late Rent Notice by state

    Each state page shows that state's cited rules for this document and opens the form preset for the state. States missing from the list don't have enough statewide rules in our dataset yet; use the form above and check your state's statute.

    Sending the notice

    • Send it to every tenant on the lease. Address it to all adult tenants, and give or mail a copy to each one if they don't share a mailbox.
    • Use a method you can prove. Hand delivery with a signed acknowledgment, or certified mail with a return receipt, gives you a dated record. If your lease allows notices by email, keep the sent message. Fill in the delivery record at the bottom of the notice.
    • Send it the same way every time. Treat every tenant the same: send a notice whenever rent is late, on the same schedule, with the fee the lease sets.
    • Keep it factual. State the amounts and dates and invite the tenant to call. Avoid threats or statements about eviction in a reminder letter.
    • Keep a copy and record every payment. Save the notice, proof of delivery and any reply with the lease, and give a receipt when the tenant pays; the rent receipt form can help.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is a late rent notice the same as a pay-or-quit notice?

    No. A late rent notice is a reminder that rent is past due and how much is owed. A pay-or-quit notice is a notice defined by state law that gives the tenant a set number of days to pay or move out and is usually the first step before an eviction case for unpaid rent. Its timing and required wording vary by state, and this form does not create one.

    When should I send a late rent notice?

    Once rent is past due and any grace period in your lease or required by your state has ended. Sending it promptly and the same way every month keeps your records clear.

    Can I charge a late fee that is not in the lease?

    You should only charge a late fee your lease provides for, in the amount it sets. Several states require the fee to be in a written lease and some cap the amount or require a grace period first. Pick your state in the form to see its rule; the table on this page links to each statute.

    How much can a landlord charge for late rent?

    It depends on the state. Some set a percentage or dollar cap, such as New York's limit of the lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent, while many have no numeric cap, though a fee may still need to be reasonable to be enforced. The table on this page lists the rule and grace period for every state and DC.

    Should I accept a partial rent payment?

    That is your decision. The form subtracts any partial payment from the amount due so the notice shows the remaining balance. What accepting a partial payment means for any later steps depends on state law, so if the balance may end up in court, check your state's rules or get local advice before you accept it.

    Sources

    Sources last checked 2026-10-27.

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