Rent due dates are typically very straightforward. On most leases, rent is due the first of the month. Some leases include a grace period, and in some places, mandatory grace periods are set by state law. That doesn’t change the due date itself, though it does make things more nuanced.
If you want to make sure that you fully understand the answer to “when is rent due” and how grace periods work, here’s everything you need to know.
When Is Rent Due?
Your rent due date is listed in the lease you sign when you secure a property. It will let you know precisely when your rent payment has to get into your landlord’s hands to avoid being late.
Usually, the rent due date is the same day each month. The day of the month typically won’t shift from one month to the next, creating a level of predictability that helps landlords and tenants alike.
In most cases, rent is due on the first of the month. Often, this is because it simplifies things for both the landlord and tenant. The tenant knows exactly when they need to pay, and, for many people, the first of the month aligns with a payday.
For landlords that oversee multiple properties, it lets them have a single, simple due date for every tenant. The approach makes managing the receipt of rent payments easier, as they don’t have to track a series of due dates for different tenants.
In some cases, state law or landlord-tenant guidance publications list the first of the month as a typical due date, as well. By making the first of the month the due date, the landlord is aligning their approach with government publications, which may reduce confusion among tenants.
However, rent due dates can technically be on any day of the month. If a landlord chooses, they could list the third, fifteenth, twenty-fifth, or any other day of the month. But in most leases, rent is due on the first.
What Is a Grace Period?
While your rent may be due on a specific date, some states – or individual landlords – provide tenants with a grace period. The grace period is usually a set number of days beyond the rent due date.
Grace periods are pretty straightforward. If a tenant doesn’t get their rent payment to the landlord by the due date, as long as the payment is received before the grace period ends, they won’t face certain repercussions. For example, the tenant might not incur late fees if they pay within the grace period, or the landlord might not start eviction proceedings during that time window.
In some cases, grace periods are mandated by the state. While not common, some states list a specific number of days as a minimum grace period. All landlords in that state have to provide tenants with that amount of time before the penalty (or penalties) for being late can be applied.
However, landlords can also choose to offer a grace period even if their state doesn’t require one. In most cases, landlords will list the grace period they want to provide in the lease, ensuring tenants are well informed.
Some landlords may also have “unofficial” grace periods. With these, the grace period isn’t in the lease. Instead, the landlord simply decides to offer leniency.
At times, this is more common with long-term tenants with good records who experience an unforeseen circumstance that makes paying precisely on time difficult. In some cases, a landlord may provide an unofficial grace period for any first-time offender.
Other landlords may provide a grace period if you simply ask for one. This is especially true if you know you’ll be able to pay within a day or two of the due date and have a solid reason for missing the due date.
However, if a landlord isn’t required by state law to give you a grace period and there isn’t one in the lease, then it is genuinely up to them. You can’t force a landlord to provide a grace period if it isn’t mandated by law or in your rental agreement, even if your reason for being late is sound.
Keep in mind that grace periods do not change your rent due date. To stay on good terms with your landlord, you should make every effort to consistently pay your rent on the official due date.
Grace Periods by State
| State | Maximum Late Fee | Grace Period |
| Alabama | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Alaska | No limit, but must be agreed upon, such as by being listed in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Arizona | Must be reasonable and in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Arkansas | No limit, but must be in the lease | 5 days |
| California | Must be reasonable and in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Colorado | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Connecticut | Must be reasonable and in the lease | 9 days |
| Delaware | 5 % of the rent amount | No state-mandated grace period |
| District of Columbia | 5 % of the rent amount | 5 days |
| Florida | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Georgia | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Hawaii | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Idaho | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Illinois | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Indiana | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Iowa | $60 to $100, depending on the rent amount | No state-mandated grace period |
| Kansas | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Kentucky | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Louisiana | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Maine | 4 % of the past due amount | 15 days |
| Maryland | 5 % of the amount owed | No state-mandated grace period |
| Massachusetts | No limit, but must be in the lease | 30 days for late fees, though evictions can begin immediately |
| Michigan | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Minnesota | 8 % of the rent amount | No state-mandated grace period |
| Mississippi | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Missouri | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Montana | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Nebraska | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Nevada | 5 % of the rent amount | No state-mandated grace period |
| New Hampshire | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| New Jersey | No laws outlining late fee size | 5 days (only for protected classes) |
| New Mexico | 10 % of the rent amount | No state-mandated grace period |
| New York | $50 or 5 % of rent amount, whichever is less | 5 days |
| North Carolina | $15 or 5 % of the rent, whichever is greater | 5 days |
| North Dakota | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Ohio | Must be reasonable and in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Oklahoma | Must be reasonable and in the lease | 5 days (14 days for public housing) |
| Oregon | 5 % of the rent amount | 4 days |
| Pennsylvania | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Rhode Island | No laws outlining late fee size | 15 days |
| South Carolina | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| South Dakota | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Tennessee | 10 % of the past due amount | 5 days |
| Texas | 12 % of the rent amount | 1 day |
| Utah | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Vermont | No laws regarding late fees | No state-mandated grace period |
| Virginia | 10 % of the amount due | 5 days |
| Washington | Must be reasonable and in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| West Virginia | Must be reasonable and in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Wisconsin | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
| Wyoming | No limit, but must be in the lease | No state-mandated grace period |
It’s important to note that, like all laws, regulations about grace periods can change over time. That means it is usually wise to keep an eye on local legislation, particularly if you are getting ready to sign a new lease or extend an existing one. That way, if the rules have changed, you’ll be aware of the latest requirements.
