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.