Guides › Landlords and tenants
Guide · Landlords and tenants
How to tell your landlord your rent will be late
Telling them early is better than going quiet. Here’s how.
Tell them before it’s due
A heads-up before the 1st shows good faith. Silence is harder to work with.
Honest and hearable ›What you might want to sayHey, about rent… I’ll explain later.
Porcupine · Observation, feeling, need, request“I’ll explain later” leaves them wondering. Saying it now gives them time to plan.
What might land betterI wanted to let you know before the 1st: my rent will be late this month.
Be honest and specific
Say what happened, how much, and when.
Honest and hearable ›What you might want to sayRent might be a little late, things are kind of crazy right now, sorry.
Porcupine · Observation, feeling, need, request“A little late… kind of crazy” leaves them guessing. The paycheck, the amounts and the dates tell them where they stand.
What might land betterMy paycheck was delayed this month, so my rent will be late. I can pay $800 on the 1st and the remaining $600 by the 15th.
Propose a plan
A date, or splitting the payment, gives them something concrete to agree to.
Us against the problem ›What you might want to sayI’ll pay when I can.
Porcupine · A clear, doable request“When I can” has no date. $800 on the 1st and the rest by the 15th is a plan they can count on.
What might land betterI can pay $800 on the 1st and the rest by the 15th.
Hear their side
They may have their own bills to pay. Ask what works for them.
Understand before answering ›What you might want to sayIt’s only two weeks.
Porcupine · Show you’re open“It’s only two weeks” shrinks what it means for them. Asking if it works, or if another date is better, makes room for their side.
What might land betterDoes that work for you, or would another date be better?
Get it in writing
Confirm the plan by text or email, so you both have a record.
What you might want to sayCool, we’re good then.
Porcupine · A clear, doable request“We’re good then” leaves the details to memory. The amounts and dates in one line, with thanks, give you both a record.
What might land betterJust to confirm: $800 on the 1st and $600 by the 15th. Thanks for working with me.
Follow through
Pay when you said you would, or tell them right away if anything changes.
If you’re worried about eviction
Rules on late fees and eviction vary by place. A local tenant rights office or legal clinic can tell you your options.
Safety first ›
The common mistake
Going quiet and hoping it passes
Avoiding calls and texts can feel easier than saying it, but silence makes it look like you won’t pay at all. A short, early message keeps it a scheduling problem.
Honest and hearable ›If it doesn’t go the way you hoped
What they might say, and what you could say back.
If they sayRent is due on the 1st. No exceptions.
You could sayI understand. I can pay $800 on the 1st, and the rest as soon as I can, by the 15th at the latest.
If they sayThis is the second time.
You could sayI know, and I’m sorry. I’ve set up an automatic payment so it won’t happen again.
If they sayThere will be a late fee.
You could sayUnderstood. If I pay by the 15th as planned, would you consider waiving it?
Putting it together
The whole message, before and after.
What you might want to sayRent might be a little late, things are kind of crazy right now, sorry.
Porcupine · Own your partWhat happened, how much, when, and a question to check it works. It’s honest about the problem and clear about the plan.
What might land betterMy paycheck was delayed this month, so my rent will be late. I can pay $800 on the 1st and the remaining $600 by the 15th. Would that work for you? I’ll confirm by email.
Run a Quills Check on yours
Write what you want to say, however it comes out. I’ll show you if the quills are up, and a version with them down.
The Quills Check needs JavaScript. Please turn it on and reload the page.
Common questions
How early should I tell them?
As soon as you know. A few days before the due date is far better than the day after.
Do I have to say why?
A short, honest reason helps, but you don’t need to share the details.
What if they charge a late fee?
Check your lease. You can ask, politely, whether it could be waived if you pay on the date you agreed.
Know someone this would help?
Send them this guide. The link shows its title and one of its examples.
Find the words with Porcupine
PorcupineWhen they reply, I’ll help you answer honestly and agree on a plan you can keep.
Porcupine is coming soon. Sign up to be one of the first to try it.
Just your email. How we handle it
Related guides
- How to ask your landlord for a repairLandlords and tenants
- How to tell your tenant the rent is going upLandlords and tenants
- How to ask your landlord if you can get a petLandlords and tenants
- How to negotiate your rent when you renew your leaseLandlords and tenants
Guides are general information, not legal, financial or professional advice. If you’re afraid of how someone might react, put your safety first and talk to someone you trust (Safety first).