Tenant's son is hospitalized and late on rent payment

[Sai T.]

Hello,

I have a new tenant (single mother) moved in last month 9/1/16 paid 1st month rent and SD. I gave option to pay last month rent in 2 payments 10/1/16 and 11/1/16. Late fee $150 till 1st till 15th of the month. Overall I had a good impression about the tenant.  On Saturday 10/1/16. I called to remind her to pay the rent. 

No response then on Monday  emailed and 2 phone calls again no response. 

Today, I got this from her 

"Good Morning

I am just receiving your voicemails and email i first want to apoligize for not getting in touch with you but my mind has been in a thousand places. I have been in the hospital with one of my children for the past two weeks. I will pay my rent friday morning with late fee also. I am sorry that it is late but i took a paid leave from work and had to process paperwork before check could be sent out. Also i will have to pay the half of the last month on thursday 10/20/2016. If i need to attach a late fee with that please let me know. Both jobs send checks at seperate times so that is why the laat month half will be later i am very sorry for this inconvenience. My son will be coming home today and i will be returning to work tomorrow so after this everything will be on time again i am very sorry about this and not getting in touch with you sooner."

Question : I don't know, if she will pay the rent this Friday but I'm not sure should I charge $150/- late fee ? 

[Kevin Manz]

Red flags all over the place. I wouldn't have told her you'd forgive late fee w proof, cuz she didn't communicate. I'm guessing she has no proof anyways. I'd use this opportunity to let her know this behavior is absolutely unacceptable.  Keep your eyes and ears on high alert w this tenant, I have a feeling your in for a wild ride. I can smell em through the interweb. The ones you think will turn out great, are the ones that get you. Good luck.