You lost your job.
A family member got hospitalized causing you to use the money intended for paying rent.
You will certainly agree that being faced with financial issues is stressful. Every tenant has encountered problems with paying rent on time or in full. It is no secret. The mere fact that your landlord will penalize you for paying late is enough to cause panic.
The good news is, you can still deal with late rent payments.
Arrange A Partial Rent Payment
Being evicted is the last thing you want to happen, but rules are rules. There is still something you can do to avoid eviction and that is to negotiate a partial or delayed rent payment. Do not wait for your landlord to remind you of the payment you failed to make. Be proactive and inform your landlord that can't afford to pay rent this month. The mere fact that you made an effort to inform them is a sign of your willingness to settle delayed rent payment.
Keep in mind that delayed payment can also affect your landlord in more ways than one. What if the payment will be used for paying the utility bills? What if the payment will be intended for paying their kids' tuition fees? Giving your landlord a written assurance that you are going to pay the full rent will give both parties peace of mind.
First, you need to ask your landlord in writing to give you a few extra days or weeks to settle the payment. You will need to explain why you are having difficulties making a timely payment.
If it is possible, you can offer to pay at least some of the rent on time. Your landlord also needs an assurance that you will deliver what you have promised so a written agreement will be deemed necessary. Be sure to indicate the date and keep your promise. As a rule of thumb, late payment will also incur late fee. Be sure to be prepared for it.
The Problem Will Not Go Away Unless You Do Something About it
If you are tempted to ignore the problem, thinking that it will just go away, you may have to think twice.
Your landlord keeps a record of the payment tenants made. This means they can easily track late payments. You will not solve the problem if you will develop a habit of ignoring reminders through emails or phone calls. Not cool.
Sending A Check You Know Will Bounce Is A Big No-No!
If you are toying with the idea of sending a bad check, it is estafa hiding in plain sight, a lawsuit that is waiting to happen. Instead of solving the problem, you are only fueling your landlord's anger. A bounced check only worsens your problem as the landlord may be left with no choice but to terminate your tenancy.
If you have been a good tenant, asking a small favor from your landlord won't hurt. Once you have made a rent payment, make it a habit to pay on time.
