I live in Falls Church, Virginia (Fairfax County). Rent is due on the first, but we have until the 5th to pay. I dropped off the checks in the Rent Drop Box at the rental office the morning of the 5th. (a Sunday but the office is open)
On Monday when I return home from work there is a late notice on my door for 10% of my rent (I have not checked to see if the 10% thing is in the rental agreement... usually it's $25 with past experience). I went to the office immediately to ask about this... the office had been closed for 15 minutes but the receptionist was nice enough to check on it for me. I was told to come back the next day. I did and was told that they had just found the check that morning (it is now the 7th). I am waiting for a call to see if they will accept the personal check (they required a money order in the notice) :mad:

What are my options here if they won't accept it? It seems like it's my word against theirs, and I don't want to pay $150 for their mistake!

Hi,
Unfortunately, it's your word against theirs. Waiting until the very last day to pay rent is really not a good idea, since things like this do happen. If it's due on the 1st, then I would get into the habit of paying it no later than the 1st.
Maybe in talking with the manager, you can convince him/her that your check was in the "drop box" on the 5th.
I do wish you the best of luck.

Really nothing you can do. In most rental or lease agreements it will state, that the money is not credited till received. Droping the payment off in a drop box on the last day on a weekend is a very poor idea
Plus if you stated they were open on Sunday, why did you not take it in and hand it to them not drop in in a slot.

And if the rent is due on the 1st, then giving it in on the 5th even makes it late!!

They just give you a bit of leeway for situations like this!!