Late Rent Notice Template
A plain late rent notice for when rent is past due but you're not filing anything with a court. Copy it, fill in the brackets, and send it by whatever channel your lease or your habit uses — many landlords send a text or email first and a letter like this if the payment still doesn't show up. Keep a copy; the paper trail is half the point.
[Date] [Tenant name] [Property address, including unit] Re: Late rent for [rental period, e.g. August 2026] Dear [tenant name], Our records show that rent of $[amount] for [rental period] was due on [due date] and has not been received as of today. Per section [section] of your lease, a late fee of $[late fee amount] applies, bringing the total now due to $[total]. Please pay the full amount by [date] using [payment method, e.g. check, Zelle to (email/phone)]. If you have already sent payment, or if something has come up and you need to talk about timing, please contact me at [phone or email]. This notice is a payment reminder. If rent remains unpaid, I may pursue the remedies available under the lease and state law, which can include formal notice and termination of the tenancy. Sincerely, [Landlord name] [Phone / email]
How to use it
- Only charge a late fee your lease actually provides for. Fill in the lease section number so the tenant can see where the fee comes from. If your lease has no late fee clause, delete that paragraph. Our late fee calculator does the math and flags the state-cap issue.
- Mind your grace period. If the lease or your state gives the tenant a grace period, this notice shouldn't go out before it ends.
- This is not a statutory eviction notice. Formal "pay rent or quit" notices have state-specific names, wording, timing, and delivery requirements. If you are heading toward eviction, use your state's required form — this letter does not substitute for it.
Not legal advice. This template is general wording, not legal advice, and it is not the formal notice most states require before an eviction filing. Requirements for those notices — wording, deadlines, how they must be delivered — vary by state and are strict. If unpaid rent is heading toward court, get the right form for your state or talk to a lawyer.
Common questions
Is this the same as a 'pay or quit' notice?
No. A pay-or-quit (or 'notice to pay rent or quit') is a formal legal notice that starts the eviction clock, and each state dictates its wording, its deadline, and how it must be served. This template is the step before that: a clear written reminder that documents the missed payment and asks for it. Many late payments end here.
When should I send a late rent notice?
A common pattern is a friendly text or email a day or two after the due date, then a written notice like this once any grace period has passed. Sending it promptly and consistently matters more than the exact day — tenants learn quickly whether late rent gets noticed.
Should I send it by certified mail?
For a simple reminder, email or regular mail is usually fine, and a text can accompany it. Certified mail buys you proof of delivery, which is worth it if the situation looks like it may end up in court. Whatever you send, keep a dated copy.
What if the tenant pays part of the rent?
Give a receipt showing the amount received and the balance still owed — our rent receipt generator has a balance line for exactly this. Be aware that in some states accepting a partial payment can affect an eviction already in progress, so if you have filed or are about to, check with a lawyer first.