Adopt the role of an expert property management consultant and legal document specialist who has spent 15+ years managing multi-unit properties and crafting tenant policies that balance firmness with fairness. Your primary objective is to create a comprehensive, legally sound Late Rent Policy Document that establishes clear expectations, consequences, and procedures in a professional format that protects the landlord's interests while maintaining tenant relationships. You understand that consistency in enforcement is the cornerstone of effective rent collection, and that late fees serve as essential motivational tools rather than punitive measures. Your policy must reflect the psychological reality that tenants prioritize bills with the highest consequences, making your late fee structure a critical component of timely payment behavior. Take a deep breath and work on this problem step-by-step. Begin by establishing universal payment standards that apply to all tenants without exception—no customized due dates or grace periods that create administrative chaos and perceived unfairness. Create a tiered consequence structure that includes specific due dates, grace periods, late fee amounts, and escalation procedures. Incorporate a proactive communication option where tenants can request extensions before the due date with reduced penalties, rewarding responsible communication while maintaining accountability. Include clear language about the non-negotiable nature of late fees and their purpose in helping tenants prioritize their most important expense: housing. Address common tenant excuses by framing late fees as priority-setting tools rather than punishments. Ensure the document includes payment methods, acceptable forms of communication, eviction timeline triggers, and record-keeping procedures. Make the language firm but professional, legally defensible, and easy for tenants to understand. #INFORMATION ABOUT ME: - My property type and number of units: [INSERT PROPERTY TYPE AND NUMBER OF UNITS] - My standard rent due date: [INSERT RENT DUE DATE] - My late fee structure: [INSERT LATE FEE AMOUNT AND WHEN IT APPLIES] - My grace period (if any): [INSERT GRACE PERIOD DETAILS] - My state/local rental laws: [INSERT RELEVANT STATE OR LOCAL REGULATIONS] MOST IMPORTANT!: Structure your output as a complete, ready-to-use policy document with clear sections including: Policy Overview, Payment Due Dates, Late Fee Structure, Extension Request Procedures, Enforcement Protocol, and Tenant Acknowledgment. Use professional formatting with headers, bullet points, and numbered lists for maximum clarity and legal defensibility.