How to Send a Rent Reminder to Tenants (Templates + Best Practices)
Chasing rent is one of the most frustrating parts of being a landlord. Sending a rent reminder feels awkward, and doing it every month gets old fast. But with the right approach and the right tools you can get paid on time without the stress.
When to Send a Rent Reminder
- Before rent is due (3–5 days): A friendly heads-up reminding the tenant of the upcoming due date
- On the due date: A simple reminder if payment hasn't been received
- 1–3 days overdue: A firm but professional follow-up
- 7+ days overdue: A formal notice referencing your lease agreement and late fee policy
Rent Reminder Templates
Before Due Date (Friendly)
"Hi [Tenant Name], just a quick reminder that your rent of $[Amount] for [Unit] is due on [Date]. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!"
On Due Date
"Hi [Tenant Name], your rent of $[Amount] is due today, [Date]. Please arrange payment at your earliest convenience. Thank you."
1–3 Days Overdue
"Hi [Tenant Name], I haven't received your rent payment of $[Amount] which was due on [Date]. Please make payment as soon as possible or contact me if there's an issue. A late fee of $[Fee] applies after [X] days."
7+ Days Overdue (Formal)
"Dear [Tenant Name], this is a formal notice that your rent payment of $[Amount] for [Unit/Property] is now [X] days overdue. Per our lease agreement, a late fee of $[Fee] has been applied. Please contact me immediately to arrange payment or discuss your situation. Failure to pay may result in further action."
Best Practices for Rent Reminders
- Keep it professional Even if you're frustrated, keep your tone calm and factual
- Use the right channel Text for quick reminders, email for formal notices (email creates a paper trail)
- Be consistent Send reminders at the same time each month so tenants know what to expect
- Document everything Keep a record of every reminder sent and response received
- Know your local laws Some states have rules about how and when you can contact tenants regarding late rent
Automate Rent Reminders with RentKeep
Sending reminders manually every month is time-consuming and easy to forget. RentKeep automatically sends rent reminders before invoices are due and alerts you when payments are overdue so you never have to chase rent manually again.
- Automatic reminders before rent is due
- Overdue payment alerts sent directly to you
- Track payment status for all tenants at a glance
- Full payment history per tenant and unit
- Free to download on iOS and Android
Stop chasing rent manually.
RentKeep sends automatic rent reminders so you don't have to.