late rent fees?

[dandilionheaven]

I paid my rent the day it was due - but dropped it in the night deposit - so they charged me a $40 late fee. If I don't pay that - can they evict me on grounds of not paying my rent? or of not paying the late fee?

[Downtown]

Read your lease as to late payment and fees. If nothing there then not entitled to charge.
Doubtful that an eviction case would be brought for $40.
If rent was deposited the night of day due this is excessive..as within 24 hr time frame of due date. Definitely would write letter to LL (keep copy) stating that rent was paid on due date and that $40 late fee was charged in error.

[Rodneystri]

Read your lease, when was rent due? The due date and the late date are not the same in most cases.

[Concourse]

Most leases grant a grace period, usually five-ten days after the first of the month.

Also I think that a late fee is supposed to bear some resemblance to damages the landlord suffered. It is not an early Christmas gift. Then again, in a non-regulated situation, they can get away with murder.