It’s important to pay rent on time. However, what typically happens if you don’t?
You’ve likely heard horror stories of people not paying their rent for months on end, resulting in inevitable eviction that’s a costly, stressful process for both parties involved. Most people pay their landlord or rental office on the first of every month and sometimes there’s even a grace period so that you can still pay rent within a week or so after the first. Of course, it all depends on what your lease says exactly. Paying rent is an important responsibility and it’s best to strive to make sure you get it in on time, but it’s good to know what happens in the event that you pay late.
Get in Contact and Make a Plan
Sometimes things come up: you may lose your job, had your bank information affected by fraud, or any other extraneous event that could make it difficult for you to get your payment in on time. In any case, it’s important to let your landlord know immediately but to also go to them with a plan. If you’re going to be a few days late, explain the situation and show that you can make steps to making sure it doesn’t become a continual problem.
Late Fees Can Be An Option
It can really depend on what is in your lease. Many leases outline what the penalty fee for paying rent late may be and at what point it becomes considered late. Sometimes, accepting the late fee is the best way to deal with these situations. Alternatively, you can reach out and ask if it’s okay to make a delayed or partial payment. The eviction process is lengthy and costly and it’s your goal to do anything you can to avoid it getting to that point, which includes making active efforts to explain your situation and show a willingness to do what you can to rectify your mistake.
Eviction
This is the last step a landlord can take to you and it involves going to court and seeing whether or not they request a landlord’s request that you leave the property. Renters and rentees alike want to avoid this situation as much as possible, so be open and honest about your situation and do everything in your power to pay rent on time so the problem doesn’t get out of hand.
The Apartments of Wildewood have a friendly community that’s waiting to welcome you!
At The Apartments of Wildewood, located in beautiful in St. Mary’s Maryland, we offer homes with access to pools, an on-site gym, and maintenance whenever you need it – and have access to all the information you need to affordably rent an apartment in St. Mary’s. To set up an appointment to check out an apartment or townhouse rental from The Apartments at Wildewood, call us at 301.737.0737 or visit the website!
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