Free landlord notice template
Late rent notice to a tenant (reminder before a pay-or-quit notice)
A written late rent notice documents the default and gives the tenant a clear way to pay. It does not replace your state's pay-or-quit notice, but mailed by Certified Mail it gives you a dated record for your file.
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Re: Notice of late rent for [Rental address with unit]
Dear [Tenant name(s)], Our records show that rent for [Rent period] at [Rental address with unit], due on [Due date], has not been received. Rent unpaid: [Rent unpaid] Please pay the amount due by [Pay by], [How to pay]. If you have already paid, or believe this notice is in error, please contact me right away with the payment details. If the rent is not paid, I may serve the notice required by state law to pay rent or vacate the premises. This notice is sent by USPS Certified Mail, and a copy is kept in the tenancy file. Sincerely, [Your name]
When to use this letter
- Rent is past due and the grace period in the lease has passed
- You want a dated record before deciding on a statutory notice
- A tenant pays late repeatedly and you want each instance documented
Where to send it
Address it to every adult tenant on the lease at the rental unit (or the notice address in the lease).
Tips before you mail it
- List rent and any late fee separately; some states limit late fees (New York: $50 or 5%, after 5 days).
- In New York, a certified-mail notice of non-receipt is required once rent is 5 days late: use the New York template.
- This is not a pay-or-quit notice. If you may file, serve your state's statutory notice too.
The full template text
Re: Notice of late rent for {{propertyAddress}}
Dear {{tenantNames}},
Our records show that rent for {{rentPeriod}} at {{propertyAddress}}, due on {{dueDate}}, has not been received.
Rent unpaid: {{rentDue}}
{{lateFee}}
Please pay the amount due by {{payBy}}, {{howToPay}}. If you have already paid, or believe this notice is in error, please contact me right away with the payment details.
If the rent is not paid, I may serve the notice required by state law to pay rent or vacate the premises.
This notice is sent by USPS Certified Mail, and a copy is kept in the tenancy file.
Sincerely,
{{signature}}Text in {{double braces}} is filled in from the form above. This is a general template, not legal advice.