Late Rent Fee Calculator
Work out exactly what a late fee comes to, flat, percentage or daily, and check whether it fits your state's grace period and cap before you put it in a lease or charge it.
Your late fee
$0.00
State limit
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This calculator applies state-level rules as of October 2026. City ordinances (Chicago, Seattle and others) can be stricter, and nothing here is legal advice.
How late fees are usually structured
| Structure | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat fee | $75 if rent is late | Simplest to explain and enforce |
| Percentage | 5% of monthly rent | Scales with rent; 5% is a common benchmark |
| Initial + daily | $50, then $10/day | Must stay reasonable in total; some states cap the total |
Whatever the structure, the fee has to be written into the lease, and in most states it has to be "reasonable", meaning it compensates you for the cost of late payment rather than punishing the tenant. A fee of around 5% of rent is a common, defensible starting point. See our full guide to late rent fees.
States with specific limits
- New York: the lesser of $50 or 5% of monthly rent, and only after rent is more than 5 days late.
- North Carolina: the greater of $15 or 5% of monthly rent, after rent is 5 days late.
- Colorado: the greater of $50 or 5% of past-due rent, after 7 days.
- Texas: presumed reasonable up to 12% of rent (4 or fewer units) or 10% (more than 4), after rent is unpaid two full days.
- Washington: no fee for rent paid within 5 days of the due date.
More detail for each state is in our state law guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is a reasonable late fee for rent?+
In states without a fixed cap, around 5% of monthly rent is a common benchmark that courts tend to accept. Flat fees in the $50–$100 range are typical for average rents. Very high fees, or daily fees that add up without a cap, are the ones most likely to be challenged.
Can I charge a late fee if it isn't in the lease?+
Generally no. Late fees need to be agreed in writing in the lease, including the amount and when the fee applies.
Can I charge a late fee on top of the late fee?+
Avoid it. Charging late fees on unpaid late fees is prohibited in some states (like Colorado and North Carolina) and looks punitive everywhere.
Related resources
Let Ping send the reminders for you
Ping emails your tenants before rent is due, on the due date, and follows up automatically if it's late. Free while we're in early access.