Does Texas require a grace period for late fees?

Yes, Texas law requires a 2-day grace period (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019). No late fee can be charged during this period.

Free Tool

Texas Late Fee Calculator

Q: What is the maximum late fee in Texas?

The statutory maximum late fee in Texas is $180.00 on a rent of $1,500.00 — 12% of the monthly rent (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019). No fee until rent has remained unpaid two full days after the due date. Safe-harbor cap: 12% of monthly rent (structures with up to 4 units) or 10% (more than 4 units). An initial fee plus daily fees are allowed within the cap; the fee must be in a written lease.

Calculate the maximum late fee you can legally charge in Texas. Check grace periods, fee caps, and compliance with Texas state law.

State

Monthly Rent

Days Late

Property Size

Your Proposed Fee

Your Late Fee

$75.00

Compliant

Your proposed fee of $75.00 is within Texas's statutory maximum of $180.00 (12% of the monthly rent).

Rent + Fee

$1,575.00

Grace Period

2 days (required)

Statutory Maximum in Texas

$180.00

Texas Late Fee Law

Grace period: 2 days (required by law)

Fee cap: $180.00 — 12% of the monthly rent

Daily fees: Allowed

Statute: Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019

No fee until rent has remained unpaid two full days after the due date. Safe-harbor cap: 12% of monthly rent (structures with up to 4 units) or 10% (more than 4 units). An initial fee plus daily fees are allowed within the cap; the fee must be in a written lease.

Laws change quietly. Colorado rewrote its late-fee rules in 2021, Connecticut in 2023. Get an email when Texas changes its rules — and what to update in your lease.

Landlord Law Watch — $29/yr →

Next Step

Generate the late fee notice

Turn this calculation into a printable, Texas-compliant notice you can send to your tenant today — with the statute reference included.

Your Name (Landlord)

Tenant Name

Property Address

Rent Due Date

Fill in the four fields above to generate your notice.

Get your state’s late fee rules + a compliant notice template

Grace periods, fee caps, and what makes a late fee unenforceable. Plus early access to Tenby.

This free tool is brought to you by Tenby — AI-powered property management for independent landlords. No sign-up required.

Try Tenby Free

Texas Late Fee Rules for Landlords

Texas requires a 2-day grace period before any late fee can be charged (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019). The late fee is capped by statute at 12% of the monthly rent (Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019).

Use the calculator above to check if your proposed late fee complies with Texas law. Need more tools? Check the Texas security deposit calculator, or try our prorated rent calculator and rent estimate tool.

For a complete guide to Texas landlord-tenant law, read our Texas Landlord-Tenant Law 2026 guide.