Skip to main content
Owner Payments

How Late Fees Are Calculated

Understand how LeaseBase automatically generates and tracks late fee charges after the grace period.

2 min read  ·  Updated June 2026

1

Grace period passes

After a rent charge’s due date plus your configured grace period, the system checks whether the charge is unpaid or partially paid. No action is needed from you — the check runs automatically.

2

Late fee charge is created

A LATE_FEE charge is automatically generated. The amount matches the late fee configured on the lease. The late fee is linked to the original overdue charge via its parent_charge_id so you can see which rent charge triggered it.

3

One late fee per charge

Each overdue charge receives at most one late fee. The system uses idempotency checks to prevent duplicate late fees from being created, even if the scheduled job runs multiple times.

4

Voiding the original charge

If you void an unpaid charge, any associated late fee is also voided automatically. You don’t need to manually remove the late fee when reversing the parent charge.

Common questions

Where do I configure the late fee amount?

Late fee amounts are set on each individual lease. Go to the lease detail page and update the late fee field. Changes apply to future late fee charges — existing charges are not affected.

Can I waive a late fee?

Yes. Open the late fee charge in the Payments section and click Void to waive it. The late fee is removed from the tenant’s balance immediately.

Ready to try it yourself?

Free for up to 3 units. No credit card required.

Get Started Free Back to Help Center