My landlord's lease had a 3-day grace period clause that I used to skip 2 late fees last year

Derek Lee · 2026-09-30T23:00:03.911891+00:00

So my rent is due on the 1st and my landlord's lease says there's a 3-day grace period before any late fee kicks in. I always pay on the 3rd now because that little window is written right into the contract. Last year I did this 8 times and saved $50 each month on those stupid $50 late fees, so that's $400 back in my pocket. It's not breaking the rules, the lease literally says late fees start on the 4th. I talked to a tenant rights person at the local housing office in Tacoma and she said as long as I'm within the grace period they can't charge me. My landlord hates it but there's nothing in the lease that says I have to pay on the 1st, just that it's due. I'm not saying go stiff your landlord, but read that grace period section carefully because a lot of leases have one. Has anyone else used a grace period clause like this or am I the only one?

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My landlord's lease had a 3-day grace period clause that I used to skip 2 late fees last year | Barely Legal Loopholes - Vivisector