Should a landlord send tenants a reminder before rent is due?
You are not required to, but a short reminder a few days before the due date is a low-cost courtesy that helps tenants who mean to pay on time but forget. Send it once, 3 to 5 days before the due date, say the amount and how to pay, and send it to every tenant in the same way. Keep it friendly and never threaten in a reminder. Check your state before you send reminders by text. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is it worth sending
A reminder helps most with tenants who always mean to pay: the first of the month falls on a weekend, a paycheck lands late, or a bank transfer was never set up. A reminder takes that excuse away. It does not fix a tenant who cannot pay, and it should not replace your late rent steps.
There is a small downside. Some tenants begin to expect reminders and treat them as the real due date. Say in your move-in packet that reminders are a courtesy and the lease sets the due date. If a tenant asks you to stop, stop, and keep a note of the request with the lease file.
When to send it
| Timing | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days before | Tenants who pay by bank transfer and need time to move money | Too early for some to act on |
| 3 days before | Most tenants, a clear heads-up | A weekend can shorten the real time |
| Day before or due date | A final nudge for tenants who often pay on the last day | Can feel like pressure if used on its own |
Pick one and keep it the same each month, so tenants learn it. If rent is due on the first, see the guide to weekends and holidays.
Three short templates
The plain reminder
"Hi Sam, a reminder that October rent of $1,500 is due on the 1st. You can pay by bank transfer using the memo 12B SAM. Thanks, and tell me if anything has changed."
For a tenant who pays late often
"Hi Sam, rent of $1,500 is due on the 1st and is late after the grace period in your lease. If the date is hard this month, write to me today and we can talk about it."
When the first falls on a weekend
"Hi Sam, rent is due Saturday the 1st. Banks may not post a transfer sent on Saturday until Monday, so please send it by Thursday to avoid a late fee."
The third example assumes your lease sets the due date as the 1st regardless of weekends. Some states and leases move the date to the next business day, so word it to match yours.
Rules to follow
- Send reminders to every tenant the same way. Picking some tenants for reminders and not others can look like unequal treatment.
- Email is the safe default. Texting needs consent in many cases, so see the TCPA guide.
- Keep the tone neutral. A reminder is not a demand and should not mention fees unless the lease does.
- Do not include other people's information or the amount owed by a neighbor.
How DoorKeeping handles it
DoorKeeping can email tenants from the app, and each tenant has a memo like 12B SAM and an exact amount, so the reminder tells them what to send and the deposit is easy to match. Ask Claude or ChatGPT to draft the reminder for a unit or for everyone, and you decide when it goes. Rent stays in your own bank account, and anything involving money waits for your approval.
Sources
- DoorKeeping: Connect Claude or ChatGPT (steps and tools list), read Oct 30, 2026
Questions
- Do landlords have to send rent reminders?
- No. The lease sets the due date. A reminder is a courtesy that can reduce late payments.
- When is the best time to send one?
- Many landlords send it 3 to 5 days before the due date. Pick a day and keep it consistent each month.
- Can I send reminders by text?
- In many cases you need the tenant's consent, and rules about automated texts apply. Email is the safer default.
- Should the reminder mention late fees?
- Only if your lease and state allow them. A reminder works best when it is friendly and short.