Late rent notice template for landlords
Two free templates: a friendly reminder to send first, and a formal late rent notice with the amount due, any late fee, and a deadline. Print, copy, or download. For the full process, read the late rent notice guide.
Friendly late rent reminder
Hi [Tenant name],
A quick reminder that rent of [amount] for [month] was due on [due date], and I have not received it yet. If you have already paid, thank you, and please ignore this message.
If not, you can pay by [payment methods or pay link]. If something has come up, let me know and we can talk about it.
Thanks, [Landlord name] [Phone number]
Late rent notice
[Landlord name] [Landlord mailing address] [Date]
To: [Tenant name or names] [Rental address and unit]
LATE RENT NOTICE
Your rent of [rent amount] for [rent period] was due on [due date]. As of the date of this notice, it has not been received [or: only (amount paid) has been received].
Rent due: [rent amount] Late fee under section [number] of your lease: [late fee] Other charges: [amount and description, if any] Total now due: [total amount]
Please pay the total by [deadline date] using [payment methods or pay link].
If you are having trouble paying, contact me at [phone number] or [email address] before that date so we can discuss it.
This is a notice of late rent under your lease. It is not a notice to quit or an eviction notice.
[Signature] [Landlord name]
Check your local law. This template is general information, not legal advice. Notice periods, required wording, delivery methods, and deposit rules differ by state, city, and country, and your lease may add its own terms. Confirm the rules where the property is before you use it.
How to handle late rent, step by step
Step 1
Wait out the grace period
Check your lease and local law for a grace period before rent counts as late or a late fee can be charged.
Step 2
Send a friendly reminder
A short, polite message the day after rent is late solves most cases.
Step 3
Send the late rent notice
If rent is still unpaid, send the formal notice with the amount, any late fee your lease allows, and a deadline.
Step 4
Record what happens
Log every reminder, notice, and payment. If the tenant still does not pay, follow your state's formal notice process.
What to include in a late rent notice
- Date and parties. The date of the notice, your name, and the tenant names on the lease.
- The rental. The property address and unit.
- What is owed. The rent amount, the period, the due date, and any partial payment received.
- Late fee. Only if the lease allows it, with the lease section and the amount.
- Deadline and how to pay. A clear date and the ways the tenant can pay.
- A way to talk. Your phone or email, so a tenant in trouble can reach you before it escalates.
If rent stays unpaid, read what to do when a tenant is not paying or responding and how landlords handle delinquent rent.
Late rent questions
When should a landlord send a late rent notice?
After any grace period in the lease or local law has passed. Many landlords send a friendly reminder first and the formal late rent notice a few days later.
Can I charge a late fee?
Only if your lease provides for it and it complies with local law. Many states cap late fees or require a grace period before a fee applies.
Is a late rent notice the same as a pay or quit notice?
No. A late rent notice is a reminder under the lease. A pay or quit notice is a formal legal step before eviction, with wording and timelines set by state law.
How should I deliver a late rent notice?
In a way you can prove: email if your lease allows it, mail, or hand delivery with a note of the date. Keep a copy.
How can I avoid sending late notices every month?
Send invoices before the due date, offer an easy way to pay such as a Stripe pay link, and send a reminder as soon as rent is late. RentKeep does all three.
More answers on the RentKeep FAQ.
Related pages
- Rent collectionCollect rent with recurring invoices, invoice emails, reminders, and Stripe pay links on your own Stripe account. See who has paid, who is due, and who is late.
- How to Send a Rent Reminder to Tenants (Templates + Best Practices)Send rent reminders without the awkwardness. Copy-paste templates for friendly nudges, firm notices, and reminder emails, plus when to send each one.
- Late Rent Notice: Free Templates + How to Handle Late Payments (2026)Free late rent notice templates for every stage, from a friendly reminder to a formal notice, plus state grace period rules and how to handle late payments.
- 30-day notice to landlordFree 30 day notice to landlord template, plus a landlord notice to vacate letter. Copy, print, or download, with tips on dates, delivery, and your deposit.
- TemplatesFree printable landlord templates: a rent receipt template, a 30-day notice to landlord or notice to vacate letter, and a late rent notice. No signup required.
Fewer late notices to write.
RentKeep sends rent invoices with a pay link, flags overdue rent, and lets you email a reminder in one tap. Free for landlords.