Late Rent Notice Template
A firm, professional notice that states what's owed, how to pay, and what happens next — without burning the relationship. Copy it, fill in the brackets, and send.
Last reviewed: July 4, 2026
A late rent notice is not an eviction document. It's a dated written record that rent wasn't received, what's now owed including any lawful late fee, and how the tenant can bring the account current. Sent around day 5–10, it resolves many cases on its own — and if things escalate later, it's the first document your paper trail needs.
Before sending, confirm two things against your state's rules: that the grace period has passed (some states mandate one), and that any late fee you include is within the state cap and provided for in the lease.
[Date] [Tenant Name(s)] [Rental Property Address] [City, State ZIP] RE: Notice of Late Rent — [Rental Property Address, Unit #] Dear [Tenant Name(s)], Our records show that your rent payment of $[Rent Amount], due on [Due Date] under your lease agreement dated [Lease Date], has not been received as of the date of this notice. Amount now due: Rent for [Month, Year]: $[Rent Amount] Late fee (per Section [X] of your lease): $[Late Fee Amount] Total amount due: $[Total Amount] Please submit the total amount due by [Payment Deadline] using [Payment Method / Portal Link]. If your payment is already on the way, or if a bank or processing issue caused the delay, please contact me so we can note the account accordingly. If you are experiencing difficulty paying, contact me before the deadline above — it is easier to work out a solution now than after further action becomes necessary. Please be aware that if rent remains unpaid, further steps may follow under the lease and applicable law, which may include a formal notice to pay or vacate. Sincerely, [Landlord / Property Manager Name] [Phone] · [Email] [Mailing Address]
How to use this template
Fill in every [bracket] and delete the late fee line if your lease has no fee clause or your state's grace period hasn't passed — an unlawful fee on the notice undermines the whole document.
Deliver it the way your lease specifies (and keep proof): email plus first-class mail is a common belt-and-braces combination. This notice is informal; if nonpayment continues, your state's formal pay-or-quit notice has its own required wording and delivery rules.
Date everything and keep a copy. If the situation ever reaches court, the dated notice showing a clear amount and a chance to cure is exactly what you want in the file.
Related
Stop writing these by hand
StackRent tracks due dates, applies your state's late fee rules, and keeps the paper trail for you — across every unit you manage.
This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — confirm current requirements for your jurisdiction before acting.