Late Rent Fee Calculator (Legal Caps by State)
Work out the most a landlord can legally charge for late rent in your state — percentage caps, flat caps and grace periods for all 50 states and DC, including the 2025 changes in New Mexico, Utah and Maryland.
For general information only — not legal advice. Laws vary by location; consult a qualified lawyer.
How to use
- 1Pick the state and enter the monthly rent and the amount that's late.
- 2Enter how many days late the rent is.
- 3See whether a late fee is allowed yet and the maximum the law allows.
How it's calculated
Each state's rule is applied as written: e.g. New York = lesser of $50 or 5% of rent after 5 days; Colorado = greater of $50 or 5% of the past-due amount after 7 days.
Frequently asked questions
Does a late fee have to be in the lease?
Yes — almost everywhere a landlord can only charge a late fee that the written lease sets out.
What if my state has no cap?
The fee still has to be reasonable. Courts can refuse to enforce a fee that's really a penalty rather than an estimate of the landlord's costs.
Is the grace period the same as when rent is due?
No. Rent is still due on the due date; a grace period only stops the landlord charging a late fee for those days.