Are there limits on how much a landlord can charge for late fees?

In California, there are limits on the amount a landlord can charge for late fees. According to California law, a landlord may charge up to a maximum of $20 or 5% of the rent amount due, whichever is higher. Late fees must also be clearly stated in the lease agreement before the tenant signs. If the tenant pays rent late more than twice in a 12-month period, the landlord may increase the amount of the late fee up to double the amount previously stated in the lease agreement. For any late payments after that, the landlord must return the late fee to the amount stated in the lease agreement. It is important to remember that late fees are only charged if the tenant has failed to pay their rent on time. If the tenant is able to show that the late payment was due to extenuating circumstances that prevented them from paying rent on time, such as the loss of a job or illness, then the landlord must not charge them a late fee. Additionally, a landlord is not allowed to charge more than one late fee per month. It is also important to note that late fees are considered a debt, and must not be viewed as a penalty. As such, a landlord must not charge more than the amount allowed under California law.

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Are there limits on how much a landlord can charge for late fees?

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