I am charged lateness fees by my landlord for late rents. Should I pay?

[Kera]

I am one week due for by rents which I promptly explained to my landlord was because of delayed payment of my salary. On getting to pay the rent now, he is insisting I must pay a lateness fee.

Is lateness fee applicable for rent in your location? Should I pay such fee?

 

[Springtime]

Usually, we do not need to pay for late payment. But I think it depends on the terms and conditions of the agreement.

 

[eLdavis]

Was there any agreement on this before hand? If this is stated in the agreement, then you have to pay it. In a case where this was never stated on any agreement, maybe the help of a lawyer can help you out.

 

[Starmix]

Was there a written agreement between two parties , you the second party and the landlord the first party? If there is try to check if it is written and agreed if there is none, do not pay. You may bring that matter to the barangay court.

 

[Kross]

I think the original poster just needs to be firm as the landlord is just trying to exploit the situation.

 

[SilverLance]

You should review your lease agreement to see if there's any mention of a lateness fee and whether it is legally enforceable in your area.

 

[Augusta]

You just have to check your agreement notice with your landlord to find out how you both wanted late payment to be

 

[itsmejob]

If there is a contract and you signed the contract, yes, you need to pay the late payment fee. I am not sure the allowable percentage, but it should be a small amount of late fee.

 

[King Belieal]

I bet you, the tenant might not have read the terms and conditions before committing to the rental agreement and the landlord knows what he is doing.

 

[magnus2022]

If you like the apartment and will like to stay there, you better pay up or expect some kind of confrontation. In Nigeria, everybody behaves as they think fit. We don't have functional system where you get justice from the court.

 

[King Belieal]

If you like the apartment and will like to stay there, you better pay up or expect some kind of confrontation. In Nigeria, everybody behaves as they think fit. We don't have functional system where you get justice from the court.

If there was no agreement to that effect, the tenant is not obligated to pay. I won't pay and would be ready to engage in legal battle with said landlord.

 

[magnus2022]

If there was no agreement to that effect, the tenant is not obligated to pay. I won't pay and would be ready to engage in legal battle with said landlord.

Legal battle may cost more than the fine and the time wastage is another thing to consider.

 

[Starmix]

It is my first time hearing that a late pay of rent bears an interest. It never happens here in my place. There is also a contract but it does not state here about surcharges. If that is the picture of your rent with interest for a late payment then just pay.

 

[Min George]

Legal battle may cost more than the fine and the time wastage is another thing to consider.

That's true. This makes sense if it was included in the contract. But if it is not, you can just spend the money for the legal battle and lay claim for damages.

 

[aninditasen]

I am one week due for by rents which I promptly explained to my landlord was because of delayed payment of my salary. On getting to pay the rent now, he is insisting I must pay a lateness fee.

Is lateness fee applicable for rent in your location? Should I pay such fee?

In India most tenants pay their rents late excepting some. There's no late fee here as they take a good sum as advance taken by the house owner.

 

[Nomad]

If your agreement says you need to pay late fees after delaying for x days, you need to pay the late fees, other wise not

 

[Moseschidera]

I know how stressful dealing with landlords can be. If it's common practice in your area to charge late fees, then you may need to pay it. But I'd still encourage you to have a calm discussion with your landlord and see if you can come to an agreement. Sometimes a little understanding goes a long way.