Rental Agreement
I have a ”standard” Michigan Residential Lease Agreement with my landlord. In Section #5 (Rent Payments), second paragraph, it states ”Tenant agrees that if rent is not paid in full on or before the 15th day of the month, Tenant will pay a late charge of $50 as allowed by Michigan law.” I was recently laid-off from my job and my rent was late; however, it was paid well in advance of the 15th of the month. My landlord it trying to collect the $50 late fee and says that the rent is considered late when it is not paid on or before the 1st of the month. Can you please tell me if I am legally responsible to pay the late fee, when I have a signed lease agreement with the above statement in it? I obviously am not an attorney, but the way I interpret this paragraph I don’t believe I should be assessed the late fee unless it is after the 15th of the month. Your professional opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!