January 19th 2008 09:20 pm
Proposed Bill Would Limit Late Fees
A proposed bill if passed into law would limit late fees on rent to the greater of $50.00 or 10% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. Current law simply requires the late fees to be “reasonable”.
Reasonableness of late fees is currently up to the discretion of the court. Generally it is best to avoid trying to enforce provisions that charge interest on late fees or that compound month after month.
The bill would also prohibit eviction of tenant solely for failure to pay late fees.
Scott Eller -
Seattle landlord attorney
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