A landlord, identified only as Martin, has ignited widespread outrage after imposing what has been described as an 'insane' £25 late fee on a tenant, despite her rent payment being made on the due date. The dispute centres on the timing of bank transfers, with the landlord insisting the fee applies because the funds hit his account a day later.
Heated Text Exchange Reveals Landlord's Stance
In a blunt text message, Martin notified the tenant: 'Rent's late. £25 late fee applies. I'll send the invoice.' The tenant, confused, explained she had paid at 3:15pm on the due date, as she does every month, and offered to show payment confirmation. However, Martin refused to back down, stating: 'I received it today. Rent was due yesterday. That's late, hence the fine.'
Tenant's Pleas Fall on Deaf Ears
The tenant argued that the delay was due to bank processing times, beyond her control, and pleaded for leniency: 'It's £25 over bank timing. Can you please let this one go?' Martin remained firm, responding: 'If I let it go once, it happens again and again. That's how these things start.' He added, 'Next time, make sure it clears before the due date. The fine stands.'
When the tenant asked if he was 'teaching her a lesson,' Martin replied: 'I'm enforcing rules. Invoice will be sent today.' The exchange left the tenant stressed, noting she had never paid late before.
Social Media Backlash and Legal Perspectives
The text conversation was reshared by British property strategist Jack Rooke on social media, where it garnered over 40,000 views. Jack questioned: 'Is this enforcing rules... or just being petty?' and expressed support for the tenant. Many commenters slammed the landlord's actions as 'illegal' and 'petty,' with some advising refusal to pay the fee or deducting it from future rent.
Comparisons to Australian Law and Court Cases
In Australia, charging general late fees for rent is illegal, as highlighted by the NSW Government, which notes that persistent lateness can lead to tenancy termination instead. One commenter shared a personal anecdote: a landlord who attempted monthly late fees faced a court case costing £11,000, including legal fees, with the tenant's case upheld.
Critics argued that landlords cannot impose extra charges for bank delays, with one stating: 'She paid on time - him attempting to get more money is, if I'm correct, a form of extortion.' Others pointed out that late fees are not standard in the UK and do not justify eviction, urging tenants to avoid last-day payments due to potential 48-hour transfer times.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions in the rental market, where unclear policies and bank processing issues can lead to disputes over fairness and tenant rights.
