Collecting Rent Advice/Help.

[Account Closed]

Good evening.

I am a landlord with a few rental properties and I am seeking some advice from other landlords on how they collect rent from their tenants in a timely manner. My lease currently states that rent is due on the first of the month and is late after the fifth of the month. Of course about 8/10 of my tenants translate this to mean rent is due on the fifth. When the fifth rolls around I get a few more rent deposits, but around 5:00 PM there are still two or three outstanding rents.

This is when I send a text message or call and ask where the rent is at. This is when I get the excuse as to why its not paid and when it will be deposited. Most of the time they will uphold there end of the bargain and deposit it when they say they will.

So what is really bothering me is, the fact that on the fifth of the month(due date) I am having to chase my tenats down and ask where the rent is. I have asked my tenants to please give me a heads up if they will be late but rarely to I get any warning.

Can anyone please help me with a better way to go about collecting rent without seeming like to much of a pushy landlord. I believe I have been able to keep my tenants happy by showing them respect and being understanding when they tell me they will be late, but frankly I am tired of getting all worked up on due date wondering who will pay and who wont!!!