MakeLease is in early access — early users help shape what we build next.

    District of Columbia Late Rent Notice

    A 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)). The late rent notice below is preset for District of Columbia: fill in your details, then print it or save it as a PDF.

    State rules last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    District of Columbia rules for a late rent notice

    Late fee limit
    Up to 5% of the full rent due, once per late payment; the maximum must be disclosed in the written lease; no fee on a subsidy provider's share D.C. Code § 42-3505.31
    Grace period before a late fee
    5 days D.C. Code § 42-3505.31(b)(2)
    Formal notice for unpaid rent
    10 days: Notice of nonpayment of rent and possible eviction (RAD Form 10) D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a), (a-1), RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025, D.C. Law 26-80, § 101(b)

    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

    Grace period: A 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)).

    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. District of Columbia: A 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)).

    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)$50
    Total amount due$1,850

    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 $1,850 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 District of Columbia requires

    Late fee limit

    A 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)).

    D.C. Code § 42-3505.31 · checked October 26, 2026

    Grace period before a late fee

    A 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)).

    D.C. Code § 42-3505.31(b)(2) · checked October 26, 2026

    Formal notice for unpaid rent

    To evict for unpaid rent of $600 or more, give the statutory past-due-rent notice with a ledger at least 10 days before filing, by certified mail plus hand delivery or posting; because the required notice wording still tells the tenant they have 30 days to pay, the safest course is to wait 30 days (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a-1)).

    D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a), (a-1), RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025, D.C. Law 26-80, § 101(b) · checked October 30, 2026

    For rent due on November 1, 2026, 5 days later is November 6, 2026. On $1,800 rent, 5% is $90; the statute above says what the percentage is measured against.

    City and county rules can be stricter than state law, and your lease can require more than the statute does. Use whichever rule gives the tenant more time or protection.

    More for District of Columbia landlords