The short answer
Begin with an accurate account statement. A friendly reminder and a formal notice serve different purposes; the requirements for a formal notice depend on the property location and tenancy.
On this page
Reconcile before contacting the tenant
Confirm the charge period, completed payments, pending transfers, returns and credits. Ask whether money received outside the platform still needs recording. Do not request a duplicate payment because an outside receipt has not yet reached the ledger.
Use a factual reminder for an account question
A reminder can identify the period and balance shown and invite the tenant to correct a mismatch. For example: “Our records show $600 remaining for September. Please review your account or contact us if a payment is missing.” Adapt the example to the actual account and keep private information out of shared channels. This wording is an ordinary reminder, not a legal notice.
Make an itemized reminder easy to check: identify the tenant and rental, the statement date, rental period, original due date, unpaid rent and any separately listed fee that the lease and current law permit. Include the usual payment instructions and a private contact for missing receipts or account questions.
Editable ordinary reminder
Hello [name], as of [statement date], our records show [unpaid rent] for [rental period] at [address and unit], originally due [date]. [If applicable: separately itemized lawful fee and its basis.] Please review the attached statement. Use [accepted payment instructions], or contact [private contact] if a receipt, credit or pending payment is missing. Please contact us to discuss the account if you cannot pay. This is an account reminder, not a notice to vacate.
Check whether a formal notice is appropriate
Read the signed lease and current state, local and program requirements. Confirm the amount that may be demanded, required language, timing and permitted service method. Grace periods for fees and deadlines for formal action are not interchangeable. Obtain local legal advice when the requirements or facts are uncertain.
The CFPB guide for renters facing eviction explains how to find local legal help, housing counseling and information about state or local protections. A payment conversation does not replace the applicable notice process.
Keep evidence of the actual delivery
Retain the final notice, account records and evidence of service required by the applicable process. A draft, an opened sending screen or an ordinary email receipt may not establish valid service. Do not describe a notice as served until the required steps have actually occurred.
Review payments and agreements after the notice
A payment, partial payment or arrangement can affect the next step. Check local consequences before accepting, rejecting or allocating funds during a formal process. Record changes clearly. Do not change locks, remove belongings or interrupt services to obtain possession outside the lawful process.
Your next-step checklist
- Reconcile the account
- Separate reminder from formal notice
- Verify local content and timing
- Keep delivery evidence
- Review later payments before acting
A payment is a sequence of states
- Scheduled
An instruction exists. - Processing
The transfer is underway. - Completed
Review the payment result. - Deposited
Reconcile the bank record.
Failed or returned payments need review and may leave rent unpaid. Read the provider’s actual status; timing and labels can differ.
Common questions
What belongs in an ordinary late-rent reminder?
Identify the rental, account date, rental period, original due date and verified unpaid rent. List any permitted fee separately and provide payment instructions plus a private way to report a missing receipt or discuss the balance. Do not add legal deadlines or eviction threats to a routine account message.
When should I send a reminder about unpaid rent?
First reconcile completed payments, pending transfers, returns and credits. Check the signed lease and applicable grace-period rules before describing a payment as late or adding a fee. The timing for an ordinary reminder does not establish the deadline for a formal legal notice.
Does a Rentari reminder count as a formal legal notice?
Do not assume that an account reminder, saved draft or sent message satisfies a formal notice requirement. Required wording, amounts, timing and service depend on the property and tenancy. Rentari provides software and written guidance; obtain local legal help when the required process is unclear.
Written and maintained by the Rentari team. Examples explain a decision; they are not customer results. Found an error or an unclear step? Send a correction with this page's address and the detail to review.
Your next step
Follow rent activity in Rentari