# Poll: Is this late fee reasonable? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838 "2004-02-18T18:51:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/21 "2004-02-18T22:42:28Z")
As far as my understanding of laws here in VT (or at least in Burlington, VT), a landlord cannot collect a late fee unless he/she can show that he/she incurred expenses due to the rent being late. I believe that all of my apartments have had late fees written in to their leases, and I admit that I have been late with rent a number of times in the four or five years I’ve been a renter, and I haven’t had a single landlord even ask for a late fee. ---
**Author:** ![BonoVox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@BonoVox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BonoVox)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/22 "2004-02-19T04:40:13Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > 1. Do you find the late fee to be reasonable? No. > > 2. Where do you live? Madison WI, where late fees are illegal (so landlords “discount” the rent if paid on time) > > 3. Do you rent or own? Rent > > 4. What is your occupation? Financial Services Advisor > > 5. What is your age? Saw me in half and count the rings > > 6. What is your gender? Male Really, I’ve been in Madison for 8 years now, and I seem to recall leases with late fees charged after 5 days. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/23 "2004-02-19T12:30:37Z")
> [@gatopescado](#): > > (RE: anything in the state of California, where a scum-bag tenant can destroy your property, not pay rent and live for free virtually forever) Ever see Pacific Heights? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/24 "2004-02-19T13:12:22Z")
I just want to make sure everyone understands how much these late fees really are. Please forgive the repetition. Rent: $661 Late fee on 2nd of month: $75 Cumulative late fee on 12th of month: $175 ($75 for day one, ten days at $10 each) Cumulative late fee on 22nd of month: $275 Cumulative late fee on 31st of month: $365 (55% of the monthly rent). ---
**Author:** ![Sub-Contractor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@Sub-Contractor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sub-Contractor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/25 "2004-02-19T13:37:22Z")
Well, **Gfactor** what is the housing situation like where you live? Is it a growing suburb or a semi-rural area that more people are finding and moving to? Those areas usually have a small captive market and high rent/late fees. I find the late fees you describe to be high, but what is the average income in the area? It could be in line with the market, especiall if the complex is trying to become more upscale. Demographics: _Where do you live?_ - About 20 miles east of Columbus Ohio _Do you rent or own?_ - Currently rent , buying soon _What is your occupation?_ - Contractor- mostly interior finishing _What is your age?_ - 30 _What is your gender?_ - Male > [@Gfactor](#): > > I just want to make sure everyone understands how much these late fees really are. > > Please forgive the repetition. > > Rent: $661 > > Late fee on 2nd of month: $75 > > Cumulative late fee on 12th of month: $175 ($75 for day one, ten days at $10 each) > > Cumulative late fee on 22nd of month: $275 > > Cumulative late fee on 31st of month: $365 (55% of the monthly rent). ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/26 "2004-02-19T13:58:00Z")
Thanks, Sub. It’s actually not where I live, but where a friend lives. > [@Sub-Contractor](#): > > Well, **Gfactor** what is the housing situation like where you live? > > Housing is plentiful. > > Is it a growing suburb or a semi-rural area that more people are finding and moving to? > > It is an older community with little growth. Semi-urban > > Those areas usually have a small captive market and high rent/late fees. > > I find the late fees you describe to be high, but what is the average income in the area? > > Here is the pitch from the good people of Farmington themselves: > > Select Red Cross FEMA Yahoo! Movies Founder’s Festival 2003 Civic Theater Community Library Community Band Public Schools Chamber of Commerce Farmington Area Jaycees Road & Hwy Issues Recycling-RRRASOC Botsford Health Care Continuum SE Mich Council of Gov River Rouge Project Mich Muni League Michigan State Oakland County Common Ground Sanctuary > For your convenience we have provided these important and useful Links. > > Farmington Tour > Maps > Gov. Warner Mansion > Parks & Recreation > Multicultural & Multiracial Community > Council of Farmington and > Farmington Hills > > Farmington, MI - the crossroads where > dreams come to life. > > Farmington is the crossroads community at the heart of south Oakland County - one of the wealthiest in the U.S. In Farmington you’ll find a hometown quality of life and Farmington people still look you in the eye and say: > “Hello. You’re welcome here!” > Within a 10 mile radius of Farmington you will find: > > 152,631 households, > 33% of which have children living at home, and > 383,840 people. > > Farmington itself has 10,423 people within the city limits, a median family income of $75,578 and a median housing value of $173,900. There is no better place to live in Metro Detroit area than Farmington. And, no better value. Come see for yourself. > > It could be in line with the market, especiall if the complex is trying to become more upscale. > > It isn’t. > > A recent review of the place: > > > [@](#): > > > > Opinion: Don´t do it > > Opinion: Don´t do it > > From: -Anonymous- Date: 2/18/2004 > > > > I lived in IGA for a year when I graduated from college. I was looking forward to my first apartment/job in the city. It was a total nightmare to live there. They must not care who they rent to, because I had drug dealers directly above me. I would hear one guy bust THROUGH his bedroom door after one too many lines of cocaine. Then, the people he “owed” money would show up at all hours of the night, banging the doors down. Now, does this sound safe for a young girl living alone? On top of that, IGA allows people with mental/psychiatric disablities live there. Not only do they allow it, but they had/have an office IN an apartment where the people come for their daily meds. This apartment happened to be right across the hall from mine, so whenever I left my apartment, I was greeted by the mental health clients lingering around and trying to touch me as I walked past. A person got stabbed one building down, so I came home one night to find police tape and investigators walking around. I probably didn´t sleep for the entire year I lived there because the main building enterance door would slam open and shut. It was supposed to be locked for security purposes, but could be opened if you slammed into it hard enough. I could go on for days, but luckily I got out of there. I´m just happy I wasn´t robbed,raped or killed. > > Demographics: > > _Where do you live?_ - About 20 miles east of Columbus Ohio > > I just moved to MI from Columbus about six months ago. > _Do you rent or own?_ - Currently rent , buying soon > > Need a mortgage? I’m in the industry. > > _What is your occupation?_ - Contractor- mostly interior finishing > > _What is your age?_ - 30 > > _What is your gender?_ - Male Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/27 "2004-02-19T14:37:59Z")
FARMINGTON Population 10,423 High school grad 91.6% College Degree 47.9% Pct w/2+ vehicles 51.0% Foreign born 15.1% Married 57.6% Never Married 21.9% Grandparents in household with young children 1.1% Moved since 1995 43.6% Avg. commute 2000 23.7 minutes Avg. commute 1990 22.1 minutes Median household income 2000 $56,442 Median household income 1990 $53,264 Pct. in poverty 2000 3.3% Pct. In poverty 1990 3.6% Med. Home value 2000 $173,390 Median Home value 1990 $136,645 Median Rent 2000 $734 Median Rent 1990 $778 From [The Detroit News](http://data.detnews.com/census/2002.hbs?myrec=61) The Farmington website does not show a source for their reported data. This data comes from the 2000 Census. Ah, I’ve solved my own problem: Farmington used the highest reported median income figure from the census data [pdf file](http://www.detnews.com/2002/census/downloads/1602627380.pdf) The news reported the base figure. I’m not sure it matters. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/28 "2004-02-19T18:40:05Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I just want to make sure everyone understands how much these late fees really are. > > Please forgive the repetition. > > Rent: $661 > > Late fee on 2nd of month: $75 > > Cumulative late fee on 12th of month: $175 ($75 for day one, ten days at $10 each) > > Cumulative late fee on 22nd of month: $275 > > Cumulative late fee on 31st of month: $365 (55% of the monthly rent). Ok, correction. I was mistaken. There is a $150 per month cap on late fees. So once the late fees reach $150 for a given month, they stop accruing. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/29 "2004-02-19T22:45:01Z")
_1. Do you find the late fee to be reasonable?_ No. I’ve never lived in a rental where there wasn’t a 5-day grace period. _2. Where do you live?_ North Carolina _3. Do you rent or own?_ Own (it’s more like the bank owns me), but I rented for a number of years. _4. What is your occupation?_ I work in a museum. _5. What is your age?_ 25 _6. What is your gender?_ Female I can understand needing the rent to be paid on time, but landlords need to be reasonable. I once had my landlord try to charge me because the rent (due on the 1st) was a week late. However, it was post-marked the 28th of the previous month. Their dumb-ass mailman had screwed up and hadn’t delivered any of their mail for several days. Don’t try to make me pay for someone else’s incompetence. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/30 "2004-02-19T23:40:09Z")
1. I find it rather high, but not unreasonable, especially if it’s right there, up-front in the lease and the tenant knowingly and willingly agrees to it. It’s certainly as reasonable as a credit card company charging a $30 late fee when a $20 payment is a day late. 2. North Carolina 3. Own 4. Veterinary technician 5. 28 6. Female ---
**Author:** ![Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moo_the_Magic_Cow)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/31 "2004-02-20T02:34:48Z")
1. Do you find the late fee to be reasonable? God no 2. Where do you live? Austin, TX 3. Do you rent or own? rent 4. What is your occupation? student 5. What is your age? 18-25 6. What is your gender? male ---
**Author:** ![Coilean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@Coilean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coilean)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/32 "2004-02-20T04:44:48Z")
1. Do you find the late fee to be reasonable? I find it to be offensive. Having lived in, ohh, about a dozen different rentals, I’ve never once encountered a fee for late rent. However, only one of said apts was run by a management company (you know where you don’t actually write you landlords name on the check), but they still let me slide from time to time. 1. Where do you live? My experience is based on Boston, Dublin, and Madrid. 2. Do you rent or own? Rent. 3. What is your occupation? Underemployed. 4. What is your age? 5. What is your gender? Male ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/33 "2004-02-20T05:16:12Z")
1. Excessive. I didn’t charge one when I was a landlord. 2. Sydney 3. rent 4. data analyst 5. 50 6. male ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/34 "2004-02-20T13:32:45Z")
Thanks for your help folks!!! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/35 "2004-02-20T13:55:25Z")
I’m in New Jersey, and I work in property management, including handling rental properties. We charge 5% of the rent after the fifth of the month. No exceptions. After the 10th, we file for eviction. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/36 "2004-02-20T14:11:26Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I’m in New Jersey, and I work in property management, including handling rental properties. We charge 5% of the rent after the fifth of the month. No exceptions. After the 10th, we file for eviction. I’m curious, Annie. Is New Jersey a pay-and-stay state? In Michigan, the landlord files for eviction, and gets a judgment that says that if the tenant does not pay the back rent, the tenant will be evicted. If the tenant pays, the landlord has to start all over next time the tenant is late. Your procedure would be very expensive for landlords here because awards of costs and attorneys’ fees are very limited in these cases. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/37 "2004-02-20T15:57:53Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I’m curious, Annie. Is New Jersey a pay-and-stay state? In Michigan, the landlord files for eviction, and gets a judgment that says that if the tenant does not pay the back rent, the tenant will be evicted. If the tenant pays, the landlord has to start all over next time the tenant is late. Your procedure would be very expensive for landlords here because awards of costs and attorneys’ fees are very limited in these cases. Yep! Sometimes we have to take people to court three or four times to get them out. But the court fee is only $29, so it’s okay. We don’t use attorneys for routine evictions, and only charge landlords $50 for the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/38 "2004-02-20T16:07:50Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Yep! Sometimes we have to take people to court three or four times to get them out. But the court fee is only $29, so it’s okay. We don’t use attorneys for routine evictions, and only charge landlords $50 for the whole thing. Good deal. In Ohio and Michigan you could only do that under very limited circumstances because corporations cannot represent themselves in court–they must use an attorney. Kinda increases the costs for everyone. But it makes lawyers some money. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/39 "2004-02-20T22:38:58Z")
Did you read the conditions of the lease, damage clause, late payment clause, eviction clause, etc. etc.? Ah! How soon we forget these little insignifigant details. All too may leases are dead beats looking for a free or cheap ride. (Not an accusation about you, just a generalization.) No cause to cry, no ones fault but yours. Suck it up, pay up pronto, and take the lesson to heart. ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838/40 "2004-02-21T00:03:01Z")
when I leased an apartment a few years ago I recall there was some sort of a late fee, but I do not remember how much it was. But I do know that in my apartment complex (in Las Vegas near UNLV) if your rent was more than 3 days late you would get an eviction notice. My apatment was above the office and I owuld sometimes hear “evicted” tennets arguing with the manager. I was never late with my rent (thank you student loans :rolleyes: ) so I never had to deal with late rent issues. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-is-this-late-fee-reasonable/229838.md?page=3)