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Not all states require proof of cost for late fees. I know my state does not. Whenever we go for a judgment, the judge always allows our late fees. In fact, in the Idaho Landlord Tenant Guidelines, it actually says "Idaho does not limit the amount a landlord can charge a tenant for a late fee." So I can say for a fact that not all states do what you are saying, NMSFM.
However, they can't go after you for years worth like this unless they notified the tenant that they were delinquent at the time. So if the receipt said "balance due" and showed the late fees there, that would be adequate. Or email communication, or a written letter. The landlord has to be able to prove that they informed the tenant that the late fees were accumulating.
As a landlord, I can say though that a landlord wouldn't likely even try this unless they felt you were a problem tenant. Maybe that was just because of paying the rent late every month and making them do all this extra bookkeeping, but maybe it was other things, that there isn't something they can charge for, but just annoyed them. My point is that I wouldn't expect a good landlord reference from this person when trying to rent in the future.
Anyway, get your act together and pay rent on time in the future. Paying weekly might be fine with some landlords, but you have to do it in advance, not in arrears. I have several tenants who pay me half 2 weeks early and the 2nd half on the due date. That is fine with me. But if they try to pay half on the due date, and the 2nd half 2 weeks late, that isn't going to fly, and they are going to owe late fees.
I rented a house a for three years. The lease agreement did state there would be a late fee of $50 if rent not paid by the 5th of the month. However, later landlord verbally agreed to accept weekly payment of rent and he never billed me for late fees. now that I am no longer living there he states that I owe him three years of late fees. Is this legal and can he back bill me if he never billed for three years?
How long did this weekly rent payment arrangement last? The longer that lasted, the less of a chance he has of ever recovering those fees.
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