Late Rent Notice — Free Past Due Rent Reminder Template
A late rent notice is a short, polite letter reminding a tenant that rent is past due, how much is owed and when to pay. It is not an eviction notice — it is the friendly first step that resolves most late payments and keeps a clear paper trail if the problem continues.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone or email]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
[Rental property address]
Re: [Which notice is this?] — rent past due for [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
Our records show that the rent of [Rent past due ($)] that was due on [Date the rent was due] for [Rental property address] has not yet been received.
Please pay the balance by [Date you'd like the balance paid by]. If you have already sent your payment, thank you, and please disregard this letter.
If you are having trouble paying, please contact me as soon as possible at the address or phone number above. I would much rather work out a solution with you than let the balance grow.
This letter is a reminder about rent that is past due. It is not a notice ending your tenancy.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
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Templates for your situation
Each version starts with the right wording for that situation already filled in.
What to do, step by step
Check the lease and your ledger
Confirm the rent amount, due date, any grace period and late fee in the lease, and check your records to make sure the payment really hasn't arrived.
Choose the right tone
Start with a friendly reminder. Use a second or final notice only if earlier reminders haven't worked.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above with the amount past due, the due date, a reasonable date to pay by and clear payment instructions.
Send it and keep a copy
Deliver it by email, mail or hand as your lease allows, and keep a copy with the date sent.
Follow up
If the rent still isn't paid, talk to the tenant, consider a written payment plan, and check your state's rules before taking any formal step such as a pay or quit notice.
What if the tenant still doesn't pay?
Most late rent is resolved with a reminder and a conversation. If the tenant doesn't respond, try a phone call or a second notice, and ask whether a short payment plan would help. Put any arrangement in writing with dates and amounts.
If the rent remains unpaid, the formal next step in most states is a written notice to pay rent or quit, which has its own notice period and rules set by state and sometimes local law. That notice, not this reminder, is what usually comes before any court case. Our eviction notice template covers it.
Whatever happens, don't change locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities to pressure a tenant. Only a court can remove a tenant, and self-help measures are illegal in nearly every state.
Example late rent notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Oakline Rentals
900 Market St, Suite 3, Boise, ID 83702 · (555) 717-3360
October 5, 2026
To: Chris Nolan
45 Aspen Way, Unit 12, Boise, ID 83705
Re: Friendly reminder — rent past due for 45 Aspen Way, Unit 12, Boise, ID 83705
Dear Chris Nolan,
Our records show that the rent of $1,250.00 that was due on October 1, 2026 for 45 Aspen Way, Unit 12, Boise, ID 83705 has not yet been received.
Please pay the balance by October 20, 2026. If you have already sent your payment, thank you, and please disregard this letter.
You can pay through the online resident portal or by check mailed to the address above. If you would like to set up automatic payments so this doesn't happen again, just let me know.
If you are having trouble paying, please contact me as soon as possible at the address or phone number above. I would much rather work out a solution with you than let the balance grow.
This letter is a reminder about rent that is past due. It is not a notice ending your tenancy.
Sincerely,
Oakline Rentals
Frequently asked questions
Is a late rent notice the same as an eviction notice?
No. A late rent notice is a reminder that rent is overdue. An eviction notice, such as a notice to pay rent or quit, is a formal notice with legal requirements that can lead to a court case. Many landlords send a reminder first.
When should I send a late rent notice?
After the due date and any grace period in the lease have passed. Many landlords send a friendly reminder a few days after the due date, then a second notice a week or so later if needed.
Can I charge a late fee?
Only if the lease provides for one, and only in an amount your state allows. Some states cap late fees or require a grace period before a fee can be charged. Check your lease and state rules.
Should I send the notice by email or mail?
A reminder can usually go by email, text or a portal message, as your lease allows. If you are building a record in case the problem continues, also send a copy by mail or hand delivery.
What if the tenant asks for more time?
Agreeing to a short extension or payment plan is often the fastest way to get paid. Put the dates and amounts in writing, and note how any late fee will be handled.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.