Should I argue on the late fee for my lease?

I moved in the current aparment last month with a month-to-month lease. At the beginning, they charged me August rent. The rent due date is the 1st of each month. Haven't been renting for a while, I just assumed that they would send a bill and totally forgot it. Yesterday (9/6) I got a call from my apartment office, saying I was late on the rent and I had to pay the rent plus late fee (~$40). The grace period is till the 5th of each month and after that I had to pay by money order. I know it is my fault to be late (normally apartments don't send bill, right?), but felt it is so phishing for them to notice me right after the grace period. The call was from the assistant that I signed my lease with. She was firm on my paying all this. Should I complain to the manager about this before paying this?

Unfortunately, no. That is standard practice. They aren't phishing you out on the "6th" as you say. They actually have lists of the leasee's and they are marked off as they pay their rent. By the 6th, they need payment and know who hasn't paid by then.

Your "grace" period is your time to remember that you haven't paid, it's not their responsibility to tell you, you haven't paid until you have gone over that time, just like a credit card company. It's all about "being an adult" as my parents tell me...<rolling my eyes>.

Sorry you had to do that, and I know it sucks, I'm a renter too. Just suck it up and post a reminder on your calendar to try and remind you to pay rent on the 1st (that's what I do! I'm entirely forgetful!!).

Good luck!

You're welcome! :) Report It

You were late it is her JOB to be firm. So do we go with 1 day is okay , maybe 2 but not 5?

I would not use that excuse about not having rented in a while and expected a bill, it sounds lame to me just reading it.

This seems pretty cut and dried to me. You knew that the grace period is until the 5th. After the grace period expired on the 6th they reminded you that they were still awaiting payment and that you now owe a late fee.

Exactly how long after you are late would you consider it "polite" for them to wait? It seems to me they have already been waiting for almost a week to receive your payment.

No they dont contact you during your grace period because thats what it is. It's like calling you on the 31 for a reminder. I have never got a bill from any apartment I stayed at. The thing about living on your own is your supposed to be adult enough to handle it. We all make mistakes and forget things some times but own up and take care of it don't point fingers at someone else it could have been worst they could have waited much longer and charged you by the day

The apartments I have lived in have never issued any bills. It's true it is YOUR responsibility to remember when your payment is due, but it never hurts to speak to the manager and explain your situation truthfully. Who knows, the manager may be lenient this once and grant your wish. Just make sure you let them know it WON'T happen again. Even adults make innocent mistakes. The worst they can do is say "No".

If your landlord gives you a grace period (I personally do NOT give any) then they can't be calling you up during that period. You would be whining about harassment.

You have nothing to complain to the manager about, you did not pay your rent and they did what they previously told you they would do.