Thanks

Sandy, I love that letter!! I don't think it's inappropriate at all - it spells out exactly what the expectations are, and what the future consequences will be if the expectations are not met. I now am going to re-work our late letter to more closely resemble yours.

thanks!

Our rent is due on the first, and a late fee applies after midnight on the 4th. All of this is spelled out in their rental agreement, along with the consequences for paying late.

On the 4th, we put up a door hanger that advertises to all their neighbors that they are late and about to incur a fee. This usually shames them into paying on time. I also put a big note right above the rent drop reminding them of the late fee and that we do not accept personal checks for late payments. Call me unprofessional, I don't care. For me, it's more unprofessional to not have the money in the bank when our mortgage payment is due.



On the 5th, they get a "notification of balance due." It's a form we purchase from a company called "Tenant Technologies" so I cannot share it. You can probably see a sample of it on www.tenanttech.com. A great thing about tenant tech is that they have the ability to process rental documents online. No more 30 page rental agreements to print and sign!

On the 8th, we post a 72 hour notice to pay or vacate (also from tenant tech.)

On the 12th, we file for eviction.

I will have to copy it here, it's in Appfolio.



NOTICE OF DEMAND FOR PAST DUE RENT


As of 9:00 a.m. on the 6th day of this month, we have not received your rent payment through any source available to you for delivery and payment of rent.
Please add a 5% late charge to your payment, which is due on the 1st day of every month.

If your rent is not paid by 9:00 a.m. on the 10th, we will forward your information to our attorney to file a Summary Ejectment. Attorney fees and court costs will be added on the 10th in the amount of $181.00.


It is never the intent of _______________________ to evict a resident. It is our hope that you will be with us for many years. However, late payment of rent will not be tolerated.

Beginning January 1, 2015, If we apply for 2 summary ejectments any month during the lease term and rent is unpaid by the 10th of any 3rd month, we will not accept any further payment and you will be evicted. No exceptions!

Please call _______________, drop us a note off at the office, e-mail to: ____________ if you have any questions about late payments and evictions.

We have found that once a resident gets behind in their rent it is all but impossible for them to get caught up. To prevent this from happening we expect everyone to pay rent on time, every month.

Can I get a copy of the letter you use?

Just yesterday, one of the tenants at the problem property I have told me that the letter she got was very "hood." She said it was unprofessional and harsh. She is a law student, who loves criticizing everything we send out.

Yet, she told us she was going to pay rent December 5th (November's rent) but changed it to November 19th after she received my letter.

Not changing it!!!!