2026 Data Report

Late Fee Rules by State

Grace periods and late-fee caps summarized by state. Confidence varies — always confirm with your lease and official statutes.

50 States Last reviewed: 2026-09-27 Partial confidence — verify locally
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State-by-state table

State Grace Period (summary) Max Late Fee (summary) Confidence Late-Fee Statute
Alaska No statutory requirement Reasonable amount partial None on file
Alabama No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Arkansas No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Arizona 5 Reasonable amount partial None on file
California No statutory requirement Reasonable amount partial None on file
Colorado 7 $50 or 5% of rent partial None on file
Connecticut 9 The lesser of $5 per day up to $50, or 5% of the late rent partial Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-15a
Washington D.C. 5 5% of rent partial None on file
Delaware 5 5% of monthly rent partial None on file
Florida No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Georgia No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Hawaii No statutory requirement 8% of rent partial None on file
Iowa No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Idaho No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Illinois No statewide rule on file No statewide grace period or late-fee cap on file. Chicago and some other municipalities set their own limits by ordinance partial None on file
Indiana No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Kansas No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Kentucky No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Louisiana No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Massachusetts 30 No limit partial None on file
Maryland No statutory requirement 5% of rent partial None on file
Maine 15 4% of rent partial None on file
Michigan No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Minnesota No statutory requirement 8% of rent partial None on file
Missouri No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Mississippi No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Montana No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
North Carolina 5 $15 or 5% of rent partial None on file
North Dakota No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Nebraska No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
New Hampshire No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
New Jersey 5 No limit partial None on file
New Mexico No statutory requirement 10% of rent partial None on file
Nevada 3 5% of rent partial None on file
New York 5 The lesser of $50 or 5% of the monthly rent partial N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 238-a(2)
Ohio No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Oklahoma No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Oregon 4 5% of rent partial None on file
Pennsylvania No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Rhode Island 15 No limit partial None on file
South Carolina No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
South Dakota No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Tennessee 5 10% of rent partial None on file
Texas 2 No fixed cap; presumed reasonable up to 12% of the monthly rent in a building of four or fewer units, or 10% in a larger one partial Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019
Utah No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Virginia 5 10% of rent or 10% of balance partial None on file
Vermont No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Washington 5 No dollar cap in the statute; no late fee on rent paid within 5 days after its due date partial RCW 59.18.170(2)
Wisconsin 5 No limit partial None on file
West Virginia No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file
Wyoming No statutory requirement No limit partial None on file

Methodology & data sources

Data compiled from LeaseCraft state legal requirement summaries tied to published statute references. Confidence is marked partial unless independently verified. Not reviewed by a licensed attorney — confirm with official sources before legal reliance.

LeaseCraft provides document automation and general information — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws and local rules change; verify requirements with your lease, state housing agency, or a licensed professional before acting on any estimate or summary on this page.

FAQ

Can I charge any late fee my lease specifies?

Not always. Some states cap late fees or require that fees be reasonable. State law still applies even if the tenant signed a lease that says otherwise.

Should I send a late rent notice before charging a fee?

Yes — document the balance due and due date in writing before escalating. Many landlords use a late rent notice even when the lease allows immediate fees.

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