Are there laws that protect a tenant from excessive late fees?

In Virginia, there are laws that protect tenants from excessive late fees. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) outlines some of these protections. According to the VRLTA, a late fee is not allowed to exceed 8% of the monthly rent, except in certain circumstances, such as when the tenant has failed to pay rent for more than two months. In this case, the landlord can charge a higher late fee, but it must be proportional to the amount of rent owed. Additionally, the VRLTA states that a late fee cannot be charged for the first 5 days that the rent is late, giving the tenant some extra time to pay. The VRLTA also states that landlords must provide tenants with a written notice before charging a late fee. This notice must contain the amount of the late fee, how it was calculated, and the date on which the fee was charged. Ultimately, landlords in Virginia are required to follow the regulations outlined in the VRLTA in order to ensure that tenants do not face excessive late fees. This protects tenants from financial hardship and ensures that landlords receive their rent in a timely manner.

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Are there laws that protect a tenant from excessive late fees?

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