Writing a Simple Demand Letter for Unpaid Rent (with Samples)
Use these sample demand letters for unpaid rent as templates for your formal demand letter.
Last updated on November 25, 2023
Being a landlord can be great when you have a good tenant. However; not all tenants are good and sooner or later there will come a time when you have to evict someone. Eviction is a process that starts with a demand letter. This letter serves as an official warning that you intend to take further action to protect you investment, but it also shows the court your collection efforts.
This is the first letter in the collection process and will ultimately lead to eviction. When dealing with a rent payment that is overdue, as a landlord you should always take a firm stance. Some landlords like to be lenient when it comes to a good tenant, but even good tenants fall on hard times.
Sometimes Good People Fall on Hard Times
Sometimes even good people fall on hard times, but you need the paper trail behind you should this end up in court. Once the rent has been late for more than two days, you have the right to send a letter. If you develop a routine for sending late rent notices when the tenants are a couple days late, they will know what you expect and many will want to avoid the unwanted letter.
This is the first letter in the collection process and will ultimately lead to eviction. When dealing with a rent payment that is overdue, as a landlord you should always take a firm stance. Some landlords like to be lenient when it comes to a good tenant, but even good tenants fall on hard times.
Sometimes Good People Fall on Hard Times
Sometimes even good people fall on hard times, but you need the paper trail behind you should this end up in court. Once the rent has been late for more than two days, you have the right to send a letter. If you develop a routine for sending late rent notices when the tenants are a couple days late, they will know what you expect and many will want to avoid the unwanted letter.
The goal of these letters is to not have to mess with late rent payments every month. Let your tenants know upfront what you expect and this will mean less chasing rent checks all the time. It is always strongly recommended to add a late fee to rents that are past due. Not only will this be an incentive to pay on time, but it will also pay for your efforts in writing a late notice.
Make Sure All the Data is Accurate
Start by simply saying the date and the tenants name and address. Make sure all the data is accurate, as this can serve as a written notice should you go to court. The letter should inform the tenant that they are late on the rent and by how many days.
Make Sure All the Data is Accurate
Start by simply saying the date and the tenants name and address. Make sure all the data is accurate, as this can serve as a written notice should you go to court. The letter should inform the tenant that they are late on the rent and by how many days.
It should also state the date that the rent was due. Clearly express the rent is covering a specific period of time, like from June 1st to June 30th. The most important thing to mention is the terms of the rental agreement. Mention the section of the lease and if applicable the number or section that talks about late payments.
Make sure to let the client know how much they owe with the late fees included in the total. The total amount due should be clear to the tenant. Reiterate where they need to send the payment too. Also make sure to have contact information should the tenant need to get a hold of you.
While these letters may seem like a pain to write, they are essential and can help keep tenants paying on time and can also bring in a little extra revenue when they are late. Always keep good records and while this letter is not required to be sent certified mail, it still counts as starting the eviction process. Below is a sample of a rent notice letter that you can use or modify for your use.
Sample 1 - Demand Letter for Unpaid Rent
Name of Landlord
Address of Landlord
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Name of Tenant
Address of Tenant
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Name of Tenant:
This letter is to inform you that as of the date of this notice, I have not received your rental payment that was due on DATE. Because rent is due on the first of the month and will cover the rental unit for the dates of DATE through DATE, you are living in a unit you have not paid for.
According to the terms of your rental agreement, found in section 2 of the lease, you can see that any rent payment not made within 5 days will accrue a late payment charge of $50.
The rent for the [Name of Property] property is due and payable immediately or you will be evicted. You can mail the payment to ADDRESS. If you have any questions about this matter or have a special circumstance that I need to be made aware of, please contact me at 555-123-9709. I look forward to hearing from you and resolving this matter.
Sincerely,
Signature of Landlord
Printed Name of Landlord
List of Enclosures
Sample 2 - Demand Letter for Unpaid Rent
Landlord’s Name
Landlord’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Tenant’s Name
Tenant’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Tenant’s Name:
This letter is to inform you that as of the date of this letter, you have failed to pay the $500 rent for the past two months. You was sent a rent reminder notice on DATE in which you were asked to pay your rent in full. I have enclosed a copy of this notice. Since that notice, you have not paid any rent.
You have violated the lease agreement that you signed on DATE in which it states that you will pay the rent before the fifth of each month. As of the date of this letter you owe me $1000.
I hereby request you to pay the above-mentioned amount within 5 working days of receipt of this letter or vacate the premises. If you fail to do this, I will be compelled to file an eviction suit against you. I would appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Signature of Landlord
Printed Name of Landlord
List of Enclosures
By Andre Bradley
Sample 2 - Demand Letter for Unpaid Rent
Landlord’s Name
Landlord’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Tenant’s Name
Tenant’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Tenant’s Name:
This letter is to inform you that as of the date of this letter, you have failed to pay the $500 rent for the past two months. You was sent a rent reminder notice on DATE in which you were asked to pay your rent in full. I have enclosed a copy of this notice. Since that notice, you have not paid any rent.
You have violated the lease agreement that you signed on DATE in which it states that you will pay the rent before the fifth of each month. As of the date of this letter you owe me $1000.
I hereby request you to pay the above-mentioned amount within 5 working days of receipt of this letter or vacate the premises. If you fail to do this, I will be compelled to file an eviction suit against you. I would appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Signature of Landlord
Printed Name of Landlord
List of Enclosures
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What is a demand letter for unpaid rent? Answer: A demand letter for unpaid rent is a formal written notice sent by a landlord to a tenant requesting the payment of overdue rent. It typically outlines the amount owed, the deadline for payment, and the consequences of non-payment, such as legal action or eviction. This letter serves as a formal reminder and often as a prerequisite step before taking legal action.
- Q: What should be included in a demand letter for unpaid rent? Answer: A demand letter for unpaid rent should include: the tenant's name and address, date of the letter, a clear statement of the overdue rent amount, the time period for which the rent is unpaid, a deadline by which the rent must be paid, any late fees or penalties as per the lease agreement, a statement of consequences for non-payment (like eviction or legal action), and the landlord's contact information. It's also advisable to reference the lease agreement and include a polite yet firm tone.
- Q: How should I deliver a demand letter for unpaid rent? Answer: Delivery of a demand letter for unpaid rent should ideally be through a method that provides proof of receipt, such as certified mail with a return receipt, hand delivery with an acknowledgement of receipt, or email with read receipt if electronic communication is legally acceptable. Keeping a copy of the letter and proof of delivery is crucial for any future legal proceedings.
- Q: Can I charge late fees or penalties as stated in the demand letter? Answer: Yes, if your lease agreement includes a clause about late fees or penalties for overdue rent, you can mention these charges in the demand letter. However, ensure that these fees are reasonable and comply with any applicable local and state laws regarding late rent penalties.
- Q: What if the tenant still doesn’t pay rent after receiving the demand letter? Answer: If the tenant fails to pay the rent even after receiving the demand letter, you may proceed with legal action, such as filing for eviction. It’s important to follow the legal process for eviction, which varies by jurisdiction. Consulting with an attorney or a legal expert in landlord-tenant laws in your area is advisable to ensure compliance with legal procedures.
- Q: Is a demand letter legally required before filing for eviction? Answer: In many jurisdictions, sending a demand letter for unpaid rent is a necessary step before filing for eviction. It serves as a formal notice to the tenant and provides them with an opportunity to rectify the situation. However, the legal requirements can vary, so it's important to check your local and state laws.
- Q: How long should I wait after sending the demand letter before taking further action? Answer: The waiting period after sending a demand letter typically depends on the terms outlined in the letter and local laws. A common timeframe is between three to ten days, but this can vary. It’s important to specify a reasonable deadline in the letter and adhere to legal guidelines in your area.