Late Fee Calculator
Late fees compensate you for the hassle of chasing rent. But charge too much and courts throw out your fee. Charge too little and you lose money.
Enter your lease terms. Get exact amounts. Know what you can legally collect.
Calculate Late Fees
Enter your lease terms to calculate total late fees
Most states accept 5-10% as reasonable
Higher of percentage or flat fee will be used
What You Need to Know About Late Fees
Late fees must be "reasonable" to be enforceable. What's reasonable? It depends on your state. Here's the breakdown:
- 5-10% of monthly rent — Accepted in most states without rent control
- Grace period — Many states require 3-5 days before fees apply
- Daily caps — Some states limit how much daily fees can accumulate
- Written in lease — Fees must be clearly stated in your lease to be enforceable
Pro tip: Some states have strict limits. California caps late fees at 6% of monthly rent for properties with 16+ units. Texas has no cap. Check your state laws.
5 Mistakes That Get Late Fees Thrown Out
Charging before the grace period ends
If your lease says "grace period of 5 days," you cannot charge a late fee on day 4. Courts count these carefully.
Exceeding state limits
Charging 20% when your state caps at 10%? The entire fee could be voided. Some states void excessive fees completely rather than reducing them.
Not specifying fees in the lease
Verbal agreements don't count. If it's not in writing and signed by the tenant, you likely can't collect it.
Compounding fees as "interest"
Charging late fees on late fees crosses into usury laws in many states. Keep fees simple and non-compounding.
Applying partial payments to fees first
Some states require partial payments go to rent first, then fees. Apply them wrong and you've got an accounting headache—and possibly a lawsuit.
Why Use This Calculator
Stop guessing the math
5% of $1,875? $87.50 + $10/day for 3 days? Let the calculator handle it. No more arithmetic errors.
Compare fee structures
See percentage vs. flat fee vs. daily fees side by side. Choose the structure that makes sense for your situation.
Know the total amount due
One number. Rent plus all fees. Print it. Send it to your tenant. No confusion about what they owe.
Instant results
Enter your numbers. See the breakdown immediately. No page loads, no waiting, no account required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a reasonable late fee?
5-10% of monthly rent is accepted in most states. Some states have specific caps. When in doubt, 5% is almost always defensible in court.
When can I start charging late fees?
After the grace period in your lease. If your lease says rent is due on the 1st with a 5-day grace period, late fees start on the 6th. If no grace period is specified, fees start the day after rent is due.
Should I use percentage or flat fee?
Percentage fees scale with rent, so they work better for expensive units. Flat fees are simpler. Many landlords use the "higher of" approach—whichever is more, that's what the tenant pays.
Are daily late fees legal?
Yes, in most states, but they must be reasonable. $5-$20/day is common. Some states cap total accumulation. Check your state laws to avoid overcharging.
Can I charge late fees during eviction?
Depends on your state. Some states stop fee accrual once eviction proceedings begin. Others allow fees until the tenant vacates. Check with a local attorney.
Do late fees need to be in the lease?
Yes. Late fee terms must be written in the lease and signed by the tenant to be enforceable. Verbal agreements or implied terms rarely hold up in court.