Q: Q: My landlord is charging me $500.00 more than the $1,250 this month for late charge and plumbing services this legal
Q: My landlord is charging me $500.00 more than the $1,250 this month for late charge and plumbing services this legal
I live at fieldstone apartments in Frankfort KY my landlord threatened me with a 7 day pay rent or quit notice she wants me to pay $298 for plumbing services and $206.71 for one week late charge is it legal to charge someone $206.71 for a week late paying rent and tacking on $298 more for plumbing services
A:
Whether the extra charges from your landlord are legal depends on a few factors:
1. Late fees: Most states have laws limiting how much landlords can charge for late rent payments. In Kentucky, late fees must be reasonable and specified in the lease agreement. A late fee of $206.71 on a $1,250 rent payment (about 16.5%) might be considered excessive unless your lease agreement explicitly allows for such a high fee.
2. Plumbing services: Landlords are typically responsible for maintaining the property's plumbing, unless the damage was caused by the tenant's negligence or misuse. If the plumbing issue was due to normal wear and tear, the landlord should cover the repair costs. However, if the lease agreement states that tenants are responsible for certain plumbing issues, or if the damage was caused by your negligence, you may be obligated to pay.
3. Notice: If your landlord is attempting to evict you for non-payment of rent, they must provide proper notice as required by Kentucky law. A 7-day notice to pay or quit is allowed in Kentucky for non-payment of rent.
To better understand your rights and obligations, carefully review your lease agreement and consider seeking legal advice from a local tenant rights organization or attorney. If you believe your landlord is charging excessive fees or violating your rights, you may be able to challenge the charges or file a complaint with the appropriate local housing authority or court.
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