Tenant advice needed! Asking to pay rent after due date.

[Nick Cucci]

Hi all - I need your expert perspectives! Please weigh in if you have been in this situation before...

I have new tenants in a house I am renting in NJ. Rent is 2k/month. A young married couple who seem fantastic. Everything checked out in bg checks and looks good on paper. Their rent is due on the 1st. There is a $100 late fee for any payments received after the 5th.  

I just received an e-mail that they would like to pay partial rent on the first and the rest on the 6th. They are asking to not have to pay the late fee. They have $750 stuck in the refund position with Airbnb and had to spend an additional $750 for another place (screenshots were sent for proof). They also still had to pay their last months rent at their old apartment. 

How would you handle? Thanks in advance for your combined wisdom. 

Nick

[Brie Schmidt]

@Nick Cucci - I would be ok with it and not charge a late fee.  It is one time, they had a legit issue with funds, were proactive, and provided documentation.