If you rent a home, you sign a written lease that tells you when your rent is due and what fees you owe if it's late.Rent is due on the first of the month, but will not be considered late if it is paid by the fifth.Most cities and states don't require grace periods.If you want a grace period on your rent, you have to negotiate with your landlord.
Step 1: Make an appointment.
When your landlord is not rushed and there is a minimum of distraction, you should be able to discuss the issue with him or her.If you haven't signed your lease, you have the most bargaining power.If your landlord's terms don't work for you, you can go somewhere else.Before you sign the lease and move in, you should make sure that any issues you have with the due date for rent are addressed.It is possible to negotiate with your landlord after you have signed the lease.If you don't pay your rent on time, your landlord can charge late fees or even evict you.
Step 2: Discuss your situation.
If you have a legitimate reason for needing the grace period, your landlord will most likely agree to it.If your rent is due on the first but you don't get paid until the third, your landlord may be willing to take the rent after your paycheck has been deposited.If you have a legitimate reason for needing a grace period, you are more likely to get it from your landlord.Being unable to budget your money is not a legitimate reason.A grace period is needed for you to sign on as a tenant or stay as an existing tenant.
Step 3: Allow a reasonable grace period.
When calculating a grace period, make sure it doesn't stretch more than a week, and keep the original due date in mind.A standard grace period is between four and five days.You could ask for the due date to be changed if you need more time.Rent is due on the next business day in most states if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday.Most grace periods are inclusive of holidays.If your rent is due on the first of the month but you have a grace period until the fifth, it doesn't matter if there is a holiday or not.If the fifth falls on a Sunday and your apartment complex's rental office isn't open on Sundays, your rent is due by Saturday if you want to avoid late fees.It shouldn't be a burden on your landlord if the grace period you request is reasonable.The flexibility of a grace period is important to you, so emphasize that a few days shouldn't make a difference to your landlord.
Step 4: There is an offer to make concessions.
If you meet your landlord halfway in another area, he or she may be more willing to give you a grace period.You could offer to pay a larger deposit in exchange for a grace period on rent payments.A security deposit is designed to protect your landlord against any monetary damages you might cause, so a larger deposit may entice him or her to allow you a reasonable grace period.Automatic payments that debit your checking account with your rent on a specific date each month are also possible if your landlord has the ability to do so.Any concessions you make should be included in the lease or in an addendum.
Step 5: Make sure to read your lease carefully.
Payment of rent, due dates, and late fees are included in your lease.If you haven't signed your lease yet, you can add a grace period to the provision to address the payment of rent, initial and date it.Your lease will be legally binding if your landlord initials the change and signs the lease after that addition has been made.If there is no grace period mentioned and you've already signed your lease, you need to draft an amendment to it.A grace period can be created by adding additional language to your lease.If you and your landlord initial it and write the date after your initials, this will still be valid.For clarity and neatness, you may want to write the provision about the grace period separately for you and your landlord to sign.
Step 6: An amendment should be drafted.
If your landlord has granted you a grace period, you need to make sure it's reflected in your writing.A written contract can only be changed in writing.Any additional concessions made to your lease must be embodied in writing.The landlord might want to draft the addendum instead of allowing you to do it.If that's the case, make sure you read it carefully and understand what you're agreeing to.You might want to look for samples online if you're drafting the addendum yourself.Make sure the addendum is dated and references the original lease.You can open the addendum by writing "This agreement between landlord and tenant, dated February 5, 2016 adds to and modifies the lease dated August 1, 2015."The agreement was written by you and your landlord.
Step 7: The landlord should sign the addendum.
Unless you and your landlord agree to it, your lease is not legally binding.You and your landlord can have original copies of your addendum, if you print two copies.
Step 8: You should include a copy of the addendum with your lease.
As a part of your original lease agreement, the addendum becomes legally binding.If you don't have a copy of your lease with you, you will have difficulty proving the addendum exists.