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What to Do When You Can't Pay the Rent

Paying your rent is something you have to do. It is essential. You need to be practical. Before you make an agreement to rent an apartment you need to budget for the rent. Ideally, you don’t ever want to be late paying your rent.

Emergency situations do occur. At times, you may not have the money for your rent when it is due. You need to notify your landlord as soon as you realize that you won’t be able to pay your rent on time. If it is getting close to the day your rent is due and you realize paying your rent will be a problem, call your landlord. Be respectful. Don’t procrastinate. Notify your landlord.

Landlords are human beings with experience. They have worked with people who have not been able to pay the rent before you. Landlords like to have a fair warning if things are not going to work out like they should. Landlords don’t like unpleasant surprises, especially the surprise of rent not being paid on time. Your landlord is in business and he or she expects your rent to be paid on time.

When you call your landlord speak with respect and be honest. You also need to be specific. Tell your landlord you can’t pay the rent on time and give your landlord a specific reason why you can’t. Apologize to your landlord for the inconvenience that you have caused. Ask your landlord if he or she can make special arrangements with you this time. Listen to your landlord and respect what they say back to you. If what your landlord says to you is upsetting, don’t argue back. If you decide to give your landlord a date when you can pay the rent money, be practical. Don’t tell your landlord that you can pay him or her the money on a specific day if you are not honestly sure you will have the money for them. A lot of people make this mistake and it makes things worse.

It is your responsibility to pay your rent. Landlords have their own policies for when people are not paying their rent on time. If you have a written lease understand what it says about late rent. Be aware of the consequences for not paying your rent on time. If you don’t have a lease understand what your landlord’s policy is for late rent. You need to be aware that your landlord can charge interest if your rent is not paid within 15 days after it is due. Your landlord cannot charge a late fee more than 4% of one month’s rent. However, your landlord can evict you if you’re 7 days or more behind on your rent.

The best way to avoid the consequences of not paying your rent on time is to pay your rent on time. Be responsible. Budget for your rent. It is your number one priority when you rent an apartment. If an emergency situation occurs that prevents you from paying your rent on time promptly, notify your landlord. Be respectful to your landlord and accept the consequences.

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