What is the primary purpose of late fees in a lease agreement?

The primary purpose of late fees in a lease agreement is to encourage timely payments. By imposing a fee for late payments, landlords motivate tenants to pay their rent on time, thereby ensuring a consistent cash flow and reducing the risk of financial disruption. This practice helps create an environment where tenants understand the importance of adhering to payment deadlines, ultimately fostering better landlord-tenant relationships.

While increasing overall rental income may be a secondary benefit of collecting late fees, it is not the foremost purpose. Late fees are not designed to penalize landlords for their mistakes or to simplify the payment process; instead, they serve as a deterrent against delays in payment, ensuring that obligations are met promptly.