What Are Proper Late Fees for Self-Managed Landlords to Charge?
Late fees are strictly regulated by state law — and violating those limits can invalidate your lease or lead to costly disputes.
For example, North Carolina law caps late fees at 5% of the monthly rent or $15, whichever is greater.
That means if rent is $1,500, the maximum late fee you can legally charge is $75.
South Carolina, on the other hand, does not specify an exact limit in its landlord-tenant law. However, late fees must still be reasonable and clearly stated in the lease.
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In practice, most South Carolina landlords charge no more than 5–8% of monthly rent, which aligns with what local magistrates tend to view as reasonable if a dispute arises.
Charging more than allowed — or applying fees inconsistently — can cause serious legal issues, so it’s critical to stay compliant and document everything clearly in your lease.
📘 Read More: Landlords, Are You Charging Enough Late Fees?