In a perfect world, every tenant would pay their rent on time, every month. In reality, even the best tenants get caught up and forget what day it is, resulting in a late rent payment. Tip: You can now automate rent collection — it's easy to collect rent online with Zillow Rental Manager.

If you have a tenant in good standing whose rent has slipped their mind, don’t delay! While you want to assume positive intent, you still need to send them a prompt and firmly worded notice in writing. Each day that rent is late is money lost — and this month’s late rent could lead to another, which might ultimately lead to eviction. It’s not something you want to think about, but you’ll need that documentation if you need to evict a tenant.

Send the notice immediately once the due date has passed and before your grace period is over. Include the balance due, plus any late fees or pending late fees they’ll incur for failing to pay before the grace period ends. It should also clearly state the consequences of not paying.

Having a template on hand to fill in and send quickly when needed will help simplify this dreaded task. You can print and mail the letter or complete your portion electronically and email it. Download our free template to get started.

To download the template, click the green arrow in the upper right corner.

Note: This template is provided for informational purposes only. Zillow Group Inc. does not make any guarantees as to the sufficiency of the information contained in this template or its compliance with current, applicable laws. This resource is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney; you should not rely on this resource for any purpose without consultation with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.