Default rate for late rent??

[Gabe_Tanenhaus]

I have paid my rent late for the last 2 months, and my landlord is enforcing what he calls the default rent price, which just about doubles my rent. He says it's in the lease that he can do that, and I checked and there is something about it in the lease, but even so, is that legal?

Any advice would be great as I'm starting to feel like Salomé of the tenements over here.

-G

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Most leases include a late fee if the rent is not paid within a certain time period.

Some states limit how much this late fee can legally be.

Do a "google" search on your states "landlord tenant laws" to see if there is a limit on allowed late fee charges.

Gail

 

[khayes1970]

I am by far a lawyer, however, does your lease state how much per day after its late, and does it clearly specify that your default rent payment would be "X" amount of dollars should you not comply with the terms agreed regarding payment? There are Tenant's rights in just about any state regardless of a lease signing or not. Be careful the next time you sign a lease, you should have been aware of this clause before hand, I know, it happened to me!!
Good luck