Can a Landlord charge you more then 1 late fee ??? (El Cajon: renters, motel) - San Diego - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

fhbill · 08-29-2011, 01:38 PM

I live in a week to week Motel in El Cajon CA.If I'm late in paying I'm charged $15.00 for every day I'm not paid in full. that adds up to $105.00 for a week. I was late by 6 hours & was charged $15.00. I didnot have it but did have the $230.00 for the week rent. today he charged me another $15.00 for not having the first $15.00 late fee .plus tomorrow it will be $45.00. Is this legal

AADAD · 08-29-2011, 01:45 PM

I would move on. Sounds like the guy is a jerk.

fhbill · 08-29-2011, 01:47 PM

That's my plan but wanted to help other tenets who are stuck there

AADAD · 08-29-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhbill

That's my plan but wanted to help other tenets who are stuck there

It would depend on the contract which you (and they) sign.

earlyretirement · 08-29-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AADAD

It would depend on the contract which you (and they) sign.

Yikes...if that is how someone treats their customers, I agree it's time to find another spot. It sounds like they are really being jerks if you indeed were only 6 hours late.

But i agree it's all how the contract is worded. I would assume there are times listed since you mentioned "6 hours late". If there is specific times listed on it then most likely you can't do anything. I'm no expert on what motels can and can't do. But this doesn't sound like the typical "landlord" type of situation since it's a business.

And with the amount being so small it's not worth even pursuing it.

From the outside looking in, it sounds like he just might want you out of there for whatever reason. I'm sure this doesn't apply to you but all of us property owners can give examples of pain in the ass tenants that we definitely didn't want to renew the lease on. I've been really lucky over the years and had 99% great tenants but it's always those 1% that really make it tough being a rental property owner.

jarfykk · 08-29-2011, 04:21 PM

California Tenant Law - Free legal advice for California renters' rights

Hope that helps.

kettlepot · 08-29-2011, 10:08 PM

I've seen leases for storage units that charge a late fee. When renters who were late paid the next months rent, the a chunk of the money went towards the fee, and the remainder went towards the rent. That meant the next month's rent was not fully paid, and therefore was not paid on time so a fee was charged for that month as well. If this situation wasn't corrected, EVERY month would have a late fee tacked onto it.

This motel rental situation sounds very similar.

nmnita · 08-30-2011, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhbill

I live in a week to week Motel in El Cajon CA.If I'm late in paying I'm charged $15.00 for every day I'm not paid in full. that adds up to $105.00 for a week. I was late by 6 hours & was charged $15.00. I didnot have it but did have the $230.00 for the week rent. today he charged me another $15.00 for not having the first $15.00 late fee .plus tomorrow it will be $45.00. Is this legal

I don't know but it sucks. Of course on the otherhand I can somewhat understand it: if the management doesn't do this, everyone would or could be late and not pay the $15.00. I really don't know the answer..it still is pretty cruddy. If you are not on a long term lease, which it sounds like you are just week to week, get the heck out like yesterday.

Nita

beachrescue · 08-30-2011, 09:53 AM

Your in a Motel. They can throw you out after you 10 mins late. Yes they can charge you whatever, they can change the rate and charge you 200 a day. Get out, move on, forget about other people.

fhbill · 09-13-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlyretirement

Yikes...if that is how someone treats their customers, I agree it's time to find another spot. It sounds like they are really being jerks if you indeed were only 6 hours late.

But i agree it's all how the contract is worded. I would assume there are times listed since you mentioned "6 hours late". If there is specific times listed on it then most likely you can't do anything. I'm no expert on what motels can and can't do. But this doesn't sound like the typical "landlord" type of situation since it's a business.

And with the amount being so small it's not worth even pursuing it.

From the outside looking in, it sounds like he just might want you out of there for whatever reason. I'm sure this doesn't apply to you but all of us property owners can give examples of pain in the ass tenants that we definitely didn't want to renew the lease on. I've been really lucky over the years and had 99% great tenants but it's always those 1% that really make it tough being a rental property owner.

I'm sorry but to me $105.00 a week late fees is a lot off money.Maybe $105.00 to you is a pitence but maybe you are one of those $1,000,000.00 who need those tax breaks????I have moved on but as a former U S Marine I must stand up for those whom can't do so for themselfs.

I'm sure you are a great landlord & not a slum lord like this guy was. I had so many regular cockroaches that we were on a first name bases.

P.S. I only work 3 days a week & payday is always on the day my rent was due.Plus rent is due at 11:00 AM & I did not get off work untill 4:00 PM & drove straight to the office every day.