When Is Rent Due? Setting and Collecting Rent

When rent is due, whether you offer a grace period, and how you collect all affect your cash flow and tenant expectations. This article covers setting the due date, grace periods and late fees (and what's legal in your state), and how to collect—by check, ACH, or a platform. For when and how to change rent at renewal, see Lease Renewals: Notice, Rent Changes, and When to Offer; for digital and automated options, see Online Rent Collection; for what to keep at tax time, see What Records to Keep.

When Is Rent Due?

You choose the due date and put it in the lease—often the 1st of the month, but it can be any day you and the tenant agree on. Be consistent so tenants know exactly when to pay. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, clarify in the lease whether rent is still due that day or the next business day. Clear due dates reduce confusion and late payments.

Grace Periods and Late Fees

A grace period is the number of days after the due date before rent is considered late. Some states require a grace period (e.g. 5 days); in others it's optional. If you charge a late fee, say so in the lease and apply it consistently. The amount and when it kicks in vary by state—some states cap late fees or require them to be reasonable. Check your state's landlord-tenant rules; for an overview of compliance, see Landlord Legal Compliance.

How to Collect Rent

You can accept rent by check, money order, ACH (bank transfer), or through a property management platform. Whatever method you use, document every payment—date received, amount, and tenant name—so you have records for taxes and any dispute. Many landlords use a platform like Rezides to set due dates, send reminders, and collect rent online so payments are recorded automatically. For more on digital and crypto options, see Online Rent Collection. For how long to keep payment records and what else to save, see What Records to Keep.