Are my payments late or not, how to handle this problem ?

I previously rented from an established company , they sold the property I lived in to a private landlord , as I had only been with them for 6 months. The new land lord has some unorthodox practices such as collecting rent by coming to your home to get it. This has bothered me since day one. I plan on moving and I need to give him as a reference but I am not sure what he will say about my rent payments being on time. The landlord collects rent when he feels like it although it is due by the 4th of the month so due to both our schedules rent is paid after the 5th at times . My landlord has no established office nor hours, or even a mailing address ( I only have a home phone number). I have paid once which I consider to be late and paid him according to per the lease. I don't want the new landlord to get a reference from him b/c who knows what he might say. Also, I know he wants me to stay in his property w/ a rent incerease. I don't want a bad reference b/c he wants me to stay! Ideas?

Give the old landlord as a reference. Explain to the new place that you are moving because of the new landlord!

First of, rent is considered to be late when paid after the 5th day of the month, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

Why not get a reference from your former landlord?

Alot of it will depend on how late you are talking, lated dont typically hurt too bad until they are 30 days late. I mean they are never good, but most places have some kind of grace period set up for this reason.