My landlord insists on picking up the rent every month for my apartment. He lives 45 minutes away from my apartment.
When I am 3 or 4 days late with partial rent money and he has to come back again, he requests that I pay him $15 extra because he has to travel so far to come pick up the rest of the rent.
Do I really have to pay him that amount for gas?? It says nothing in the lease about it- all it states is that after 7 days I pay a 10% late fee on what's late.
2007-12-06 02:32:53 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
If your lease stipulates a 10% late fee after 7 days, that's ALL that the LL is entitled to. Tell him to pound salt.
2007-12-06 03:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What would a 10% late fee cost you??? I am sure it is cheaper than the $15 you are being charge. It is an inconvenience for the landlord to come back to pick up the rent. Either deliver the rent to him personally or pay on time. Your basically making the decision to paying a late fee since you aren't on time with your rent.
2007-12-06 03:25:01 · answer #2 · answered by Grandma of 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess I look at things differently than others. If you are late with your rent by 3 or 4 days and don't pay a late fee then I think you should pay his gas. If after 4 days you were to put a cheque in the mail it might not get to him by day 7. Then you would owe him the 10% which on say $300.00 would be $30.00. I don't think he is out of line especially as you are talking partial rent money.
This sounds like a chronic problem for you, you should be glad he is being flexible and accepting late and partial rent payment; many landlords wouldn't. Sorry, just can't agree with your thinking.
2007-12-06 02:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Choqs 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to report this landlord to the housing dept. I'msure this isn't the only time or you the only person he has requested this from. Ask him for a receipt before you hand him the gas money and always have him give you a receipt for the rent regardless if you pay by check or cash. Down the road he may state that you aren't even paying rent and that is what I would be leery of. When you document the time picking up the rent, have receipts for both the rent and the gas payment, who received both, date and even take notice of his car(I'm serious here). This will more than back you up in court if your landlord wants to take you to court.
He is unethical and has no morals be careful and think about a possible move in the near future.
2007-12-06 02:52:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your landlord is out of line. If he insists on picking up the rent that is his choice, and his gas money. As you stated, there is already a penalty in the lease, that's all you must pay.
On the other hand, you should stop being late and making partial payments. Get some budgeting help if needed.
2007-12-06 02:39:05 · answer #5 · answered by Russell C 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's wrong for him to do so, it's not on the contract and you have a limit of 7 days as per contract if he insists on picking up the rent then he shouldn't mind the gas. I'd say it's time to move.. or you better start having the rent complete on one day..
2007-12-06 03:23:43 · answer #6 · answered by Victor O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't have to pay him!
The lease governs what he can charge. As long as your TOTAL payment is within the time frame mentioned in the lease (7 days) you owe him nothing additional. The issue for you is that you must make sure that 100%of what you owe gets to him on time. If he asks you for gas money again, politely ask him to show you in the contract where it says you have to pay it. If he keeps insisting tell him to take you to court. He doesn't stand a chance. In fact, I would sent him a certified letter, return receipt (keep a copy of the letter for your file) requesting that he refund you what he previously charged for gas money. Good luck and don't back down. Your lease agreement is a contract. He can't change the terms now.
2007-12-06 02:47:23 · answer #7 · answered by jwishz 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1) he is picking up the rent from you because you are only paying him partial rent. So he watching to see if you are packing up and skipping out on you.
2) he is entitled to his time and money to have to chase after you to get his rent.
In my lease, if I have to come to your house to pick up your late rent, and late fees($50), I am entitiled to $35. Its my time, gas, and your laziness. And perfectly legal.
My advise is pay your rent on time or even before time. Then he wont have to drive over to pick it up. Pay $15 or Pay $30. Take your pick.
2007-12-06 06:00:42 · answer #8 · answered by kimmamarie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no.. you don't have to pay this amount for his traveling. What was the payment arrangement when you signed the lease ? For getting the payment to him ? Tell him kindly you will have the payment there on time and you will abide by not being late. Drive by his house and if he has a rural mail box, see that you mail it in time to reach his house.
2007-12-06 02:38:51 · answer #9 · answered by hiba 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to pay for his gas! Mail the check, who cares if he wants to have tea and crumpets with you when the rent's due.
Sounds like your landlord needs a hobby. It would be cheaper for you to overnight the rent to him than pay his gas!
2007-12-06 03:05:11 · answer #10 · answered by chilliemurphy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋