Me? Very few leases ever get to court. I charge $5 per day starting the day it’s late.
If you don’t stick to the rules on this you will again teach him the rules don’t count. He agreed to pay your late fees at lease signing.
Late fees are not about the judge, they are about your res and his payment. Indiana law allows late fees if they are specified in the lease. He should pay them. IF this does get to court you will collected late fees all along and the judge MIGHT knock a few bucks off the last month’s late fees. Judge change their minds and judges habe substutues on some days.
AND if they don’t show you simply file a Motion For Default Judgment for the full amount.
If your judge knocks off some money what have you lost?
Basic bookkeeping 101: he paid $50 short, not “did not pay the late fee”. His account is still short and MY late fees continue until the balance is $0.00
No grace period because it confuses the issue and folks want to stretch it. “The rent is due on the first...but it’s not REALLY due on the first...just pay it whenever you want...up until this date. “
I find that we have happier, more cooperative resident, AND less stress in MY home when we simply stick to the lease. Just like training dogs, they are happiest when they know the boundaries.
And I don’t have a fence to punish my dog, I have it to keep her safe. Inwant my residents to be “safe” from the stress of unpaid rent, late notices, and eviction.
And autodraft eliminates late payments and whining and angry texts.
Lana, you are a strong person. Don’t be intimidated by him. Just as in your professional life, stick to the rules and procedures for the best predictable outcome.
Stay strong!
BRAD
--68.50.xxx.xxx