Delaware rent late fee law & calculator
Under 25 Del. C. §5501(d): 5% of the monthly rent. Grace period: 5 days.
Late fee due
$75.00
Paid 9 days late; grace ends 5 days after due
Delaware maximum for this rent
$75.00
of the monthly rent — assuming the full month's rent is unpaid
A late fee is only collectible if your lease authorizes it. General information, not legal advice.
What 25 Del. C. §5501(d) requires
- Maximum fee: 5% of the monthly rent
- Grace period: 5 days
- Lease requirement: the fee must be authorized in the written rental agreement — an unauthorized fee is uncollectible.
- No fee until rent is more than 5 days past due
- If the landlord has no rent-collection office within the county where the unit sits, the statute extends the tenant's time to get payment in — check §5501 before charging on day 6
Rules as of August 2026. Statutes change — verify with the current text of 25 Del. C. §5501(d) before relying on a number, and check city and county ordinances, which can be stricter. This is general information, not legal advice; consult a Delaware attorney for your situation.
Not in Delaware? Every state's late-fee rules → Also for Delaware landlords: the security-deposit return deadline →
Late fees that apply themselves
Set the rule once — LetsGoLandlord applies fees on schedule, on their own ledger line. Free for 14 days.