[toger02]

We live at an apartment complex (townhouses) in Michigan and have a question on what a landlord can charge for late charges if you are late on your rent.

Our rent is normally $695/mo - this includes the rent of $575/mo, $120/mo for a unit with washer & dryer hook-up.

If we are late on our rent the charge becomes $880 - this includes the $575/mo rent, $120/mo washer & dryer hook-up charge, $135 to bring the rent to a market value of $710 ($575 rent & $135 difference), and a $50 late fee.

and if it should go past the 14th of the month they add $145 for legal fees bringing it to $1,025.

We was wondering if all of these charges are legal, and if they can really charge this much in fees?

Also they posted a notice on our door facing the parking lot on bright red paper and big bold letters that says "YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOSING YOUR HOME TO AVOID EVICTION PROCEEDINGS YOU MUST PAY YOUR RENT IMMEDIATELY" This was posted on the 10th, Rent is do on the 1st late on the 5th, and we already contacted the office and told them we would be in on the 12th to pay the rent.

Can they publicly post a notice like this? what about privacy laws?

[ScottGem]

First, they can post that notice on the 2nd of the month if the rent is unpaid.

Second, are the fees outlined in your lease and did you sign that lease?

The fees do seem high but if you agreed to them, then you are probably stuck.

At the top of this forum are links to state laws. Check to see if Michigan has limits on late fees.

[rockinmommy]

Talk to the management. They may just be covering their behinds. If they know and believe that you're coming in on the 12th to pay they may very likely wait until the 12th before they proceed with filing an eviction suit. This way they can go do it on the 13th, instead of waiting until the 13th to give you the necessary notice and then having to wait that much longer to be able to file the actual eviction law suit.

As far as posting it like that for all the world to see... perfectly legal. When the sherrif or constible comes to serve you the actual eviction and you're not home they'll do the same thing.