Look up the maximum late fee, grace period, and rules for your state. Enter your monthly rent to calculate the exact fee amount.
Compare maximum late fees and grace periods across all states. Click a column header to sort.
| State | Maximum Late Fee | Grace Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | No statutory limit | No statutory requirement | Must be outlined in the lease agreement. Courts may find excessive fees unenforceable. |
| Alaska(AK) | No statutory limit | No statutory requirement | Must be reasonable and specified in the lease. |
| Arizona(AZ) | No statutory limit, must be reasonable | 5 days required by statute | Late fee cannot exceed a reasonable estimate of damages. Must be in the lease. |
| California(CA) | Must be reasonable (courts generally allow 5-6% of rent) | No statutory requirement, but common in lease | California courts scrutinize late fees heavily. Must reflect actual damages, not a penalty. Typically 5% of monthly rent is considered reasonable. |
| Colorado(CO) | $50 or 5% of rent, whichever is greater (effective 2023) | 7 days required by statute (effective 2023) | HB 23-1099 established statutory limits. Late fee cannot be charged within the first 7 days after due date. |
| Connecticut(CT) | No fee allowed in first 9 days; no statutory cap after | 9 days required by statute | No late fee may be charged within the first 9 days after the due date. After that, the fee must be reasonable. |
| Florida(FL) | No statutory limit, must be reasonable | No statutory requirement | Must be stated in the lease. Courts may evaluate reasonableness if challenged. |
| Georgia(GA) | No statutory limit | No statutory requirement | Must be in the lease agreement. Courts may evaluate reasonableness. |
| Illinois(IL) | $20 or 20% of rent for first $500, 5% of amount over $500 | 5 days required by statute | Statutory limits apply. Late fee cannot be charged until 5 days after due date. |
| Massachusetts(MA) | No fee allowed in first 30 days | 30 days required by statute | Late fees cannot be charged until rent is 30 days overdue. Must be reasonable after that. |
| Michigan(MI) | No statutory limit | No statutory requirement | Must be stated in the lease. Courts evaluate reasonableness. |
| New Jersey(NJ) | No statutory limit, must be reasonable | 5 days required by statute | Cannot charge late fee within first 5 days. Courts generally find 5-8% reasonable. |
| New York(NY) | $50 or 5% of rent, whichever is less (rent-stabilized) | 5 days required by statute | For rent-stabilized units, max is $50 or 5% of monthly rent. Market-rate: no statutory limit but must be reasonable. Late fee cannot be charged until 5 days after due date. |
| North Carolina(NC) | $15 or 5% of rent, whichever is greater | 5 days required by statute | Statutory limit: $15 or 5% of monthly rent. Cannot charge until 5 days after due date. |
| Ohio(OH) | No statutory limit | No statutory requirement | Must be in the lease. Courts evaluate reasonableness. |
| Oregon(OR) | Reasonable, not exceeding 5% of rent (after 4th day) | 4 days required by statute | Late fee cannot exceed 5% of monthly rent. Must wait until 5th day after due date (4-day grace). |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | No statutory limit | No statutory requirement | Must be in the lease. Philadelphia has local rules limiting late fees. |
| Tennessee(TN) | 10% of past-due rent | 5 days required by statute | Statutory limit: 10% of the amount past due. Grace period of 5 days required. |
| Texas(TX) | 10% of rent (residential) or 12% (for initial late fee + daily charges) | 2 days required by statute | Initial late fee cannot exceed 10% of rent. Daily late fees may apply after initial. Must wait at least 2 full days. |
| Virginia(VA) | No fee until 5 days late; max 10% of monthly rent | 5 days required by statute | Cannot charge until 5+ days late. Maximum 10% of periodic rent. |
| Washington(WA) | No statutory limit, must be reasonable | No statutory requirement | Must be in the lease. Courts evaluate reasonableness (typically 5-10% is acceptable). |
Data is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Always consult a local attorney for legal advice.