Oct 1, 20261 min read
Tenant uses lease terms to challenge landlord's invalid late fee
A landlord imposed a $60 late fee based on a lobby notice changing the rent due date, but the tenant's signed lease told a different story.
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Tenant uses lease terms to challenge landlord's invalid late fee
0:00 / 0:32The $60 late fee came with an insult. The landlord said it was for people who can't read. Leo had paid rent on the 4th, and losing that money would hurt.
Landlord claims new payment deadline
The landlord said rent was due on the 1st now. He'd put a notice in the lobby, so Leo had no excuse. Leo pointed to his lease.
The landlord laughed. That paperwork's old, Leo. You want to stay here, you pay the fee.
Tenant checks the renewal agreement
Leo asked him to show the new deadline in the renewal. The landlord told him to read it himself. Leo did read it.
The landlord said Leo signed it last month. Leo's payment deadline is still the 5th, and a lobby notice can't change the lease.
