Dealing with late rent payments is an extremely stressful part of being a landlord. Late rental payments can be the difference between a landlord paying their mortgage on time versus after the due date. While these situations can be aggravating, if you handle promptly and to the letter of the law they can be solved without too much escalation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rent is late in Seattle if not paid by the due date stated in the lease.
  • Grace periods help maintain tenant relationships and give tenants the benefit of the doubt.
  • Late fees in Seattle are capped at $10 per month as of June 2023.
  • To collect unpaid rent, landlords must send a late notice before seeking further legal action.

When is Rent Considered Late?

Rent is considered late when a tenant doesn’t pay their rent by the date stated in the lease agreement. While every lease is different, most rent is due on the first day of each month. Rent payments made after this day are considered late, whether or not you offer a grace period to your tenants.

There are a few instances where rent may not be paid on the due date and is not considered late. For example, weekends and holidays may be seen as exceptions as long as the tenant pays on the next business day. Additionally, if you accept payments by check, rent checks can be delayed by mail. As long as your tenants can prove they sent it by the due date, it should not be seen as late.

Should You Offer a Grace Period?

A grace period is a window of time after rent is due during which tenants can pay without penalty. In Seattle, landlords are required to provide a five day grace period. So, if rent is due on the first of the month but is paid by the fifth day of the month, landlords cannot charge late fees.

While it is mandated that Seattle landlords provide a grace period, we would still recommend a grace period regardless of the law. A grace period is a good way to show your tenants a bit of understanding. Whether a tenant accidentally forgets to send the transfer or needs an extra day for their paycheck to come through, a grace period gives your tenants the benefit of the doubt and helps to foster trust and a positive landlord-tenant relationship.

Late Fees in Seattle, Washington

While some states and cities allow landlords to set their own late fees, Seattle has regulated the amount you can charge a tenant as a late fee. As of June 2023, fees for late rent payments have been limited to a maximum of $10 per month. The new rule also stipulates that landlords cannot charge tenants fees associated with the preparation or delivery of a late-rent notice.

How to Collect Unpaid Rent from Your Tenants in Seattle

It’s no surprise that landlords become extremely frustrated when tenants fail to pay their rent. Landlords rely on their rental income for everything with mortgage payments, taxes, management expenses, and more. When the rent is paid late, it can throw off your cash flow and cause you to make some of your own payments late.

Here are the steps you can take when a tenant hasn’t paid their rent.

Check the Lease Agreement

The first thing you need to do before taking any action is to review your lease agreement to ensure you understand the terms you and your tenant agreed on. Your lease should clearly state when the rent is due, the grace period, and any penalties for late payments. Reviewing the information in your lease ensures that you comply with the term and any applicable landlord-tenants laws so you can avoid potential disputes.

Send a Late Rent Notice

If the grace period passes and the rent has not been paid, it’s time to send a formal late rent notice. The purpose of a late rent notice is to remind your tenants that the rent is due. There are plenty of templates available to help guide you in creating a late rent notice, but your notice should include:

  • The rental property address
  • The names of all tenants on the lease agreement
  • The date the notice was issued
  • The amount owed
  • Any late fees
  • Acceptable forms of payment
  • A reminder of the deadline for payments to avoid further action
  • Your signature

Be sure to send the late rent notice as soon as the rent is late to avoid disputes or issues later on.

Speak with the Tenant

Once you’ve sent your late rent notice to your tenant, it’s a good idea to reach out to your tenant. If your tenant has genuinely forgotten to send the rent or they’re facing a financial crisis, it’s important for you to connect with them to know what’s caused the delay in payment. Especially if they are typically consistent with paying their rent on time, being curious about their situation can show empathy for them and any potential situation they are in.

Speaking with them directly can help you resolve the issue quickly and get your rent payment faster.

Offer Late Payment Solutions

If you are in a position to do so, you can offer a reasonable payment solution to help your tenants if they’re going through financial difficulties. Being flexible can help you find a way forward that helps both parties. Again, if your tenant has always paid their rent on time and are good tenants, it’s worth attempting to find a solution.

For example, consider splitting the payment into smaller amounts that they can pay over a set period or waive late fees to take away some of the financial stress.

Send a Pay or Vacate Notice

You’ve sent your late rent notice, spoke with your tenant, and offered reasonable late payment solutions but still the rent hasn’t been paid. It’s now time to send a Pay or Vacate Notice. This notice is used to collect late rent payments and requires the tenant to pay the rent within 14 days or vacate the property. Be sure to consult an attorney if you find yourself at this step in the process.

Take Legal Action

Going through an eviction process is not something landlords want to deal with. But if your tenants continuously fail to pay their rent on time—even after issuing a Pay or Vacate Notice—the next step in the process is eviction. You’ll need to file an eviction notice with your local court to initiate the eviction process.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to consult with a landlord-tenant attorney to ensure you take all the right steps during the eviction process.

Learn more about the eviction process in Washington State with our updated 2025 eviction guide.

Say Goodbye to Late Payment Stress with SJA Property Management

Having to manage late rent payments can be stressful. But with the right team on your side, you can avoid late rent payments and skip the stress that comes with rent collection all together. At SJA Property Management, we handle everything from finding tenants who pay on time to collecting rent and managing any potential evictions.

Give us a call today to see how we can give you a smooth and easy rental property management solution.

Disclaimer:

Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, staying informed is essential for a smooth and successful rental experience in Seattle. We are not providing legal advice, and for specific legal questions or concerns, we recommend consulting an attorney or reaching out to local housing authorities for expert guidance.

Late Rent Payment FAQs

What happens if you don’t pay rent in Seattle?

If you don’t pay your rent in Seattle, your landlord will serve you with a Late Payment Notice. If you do not acknowledge or pay after receiving the notice, you will be served a Pay or Vacate Notice. After that, you could be evicted if you haven’t paid your rent.

How long does it take to evict a tenant in Seattle?

The eviction process can take between three weeks to a month from start to finish, but the time can vary depending on a variety of factors including if the tenant is responsive.

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Seattle?

As of 2023, the maximum amount a landlord can charge as a late fee in Seattle is $10 per month. So, if your tenant is one month late in paying rent, you can only charge them $10.