renter Late on 1st payment “advice”

[Logan Larochelle]

Need some advice not looking for negative responses. How would you guys answer them to where it is professional. I just don’t want it to be an every month thing I’m not worried. 

But below is their text message to me this morning.

“Hey good morning Logan I just wanted to let you know that me and my fiance had our son last week on the 22nd I missed a few days from work, I'm just short with rent for August today so I wanted to know if it was ok to be able to send it to you on Thursday when I get paid which will be in full”

[Evan Polaski]

@Logan Larochelle, 

I would reply with a human element first and then into the terms of the lease.  Something like,

Congratulations on the new baby.  I hope you and your fiancé are adapting well to having the newborn around.

I understand that this is an outlier occasion, and will still accept the rent on Thursday, Aug 3rd.  As a reminder, per the lease terms, rent is due on the first of each month and considered late on the 5th of each month.  If the rent is not received by the fifth, the outlined late fees will be assessed.  

I am sure the August rent is a onetime occurrence given the new son.  Please let me know if there is anything more I can help with.

Going forward, simply enforce the lease.  And of course, the above needs to be tied to your actual lease.