Preface: I(f23) live with 2 roommates, Nicky(f25) and Katie(f23). Our rent is split three ways, with Katie paying $150 more than Nicky and I since she’s in the master bedroom with a private bathroom. Our rent is due on the 1st of every month. If you don’t pay by the 3rd of the month, a $100 late fee is added. If you don’t pay by the 10th, an additional $50 fee is added.
Nicky was late on rent this month because she had the flu. So a $100 late fee was added to our bill.
This past Thursday, Nicky texted Katie and I stating she thinks we should split the late fee because 1. Katie and I got our late fees waived and technically one waiver is granted per apartment during a 1-year lease. 2. She’s never been late on rent.
I talked to Katie that night to see how she felt. Katie felt we shouldn’t pay a partial amount. Katie’s reasons being: 1. She already pay close to $1k for rent and don’t have extra money. 2. If the shoe was on the other foot, Nicky would not pay a partial on our late fee. 3. It muddies the water if one of us gets another late fee before the lease is up. Do we all pay the fee together again?
I agreed with Katie. I should not have to pay a partial on Nicky’s late fee since my late fee came from the apartment complex changing the system on how we pay rent the month I moved in(last September). Meaning my payment did not go through on time. The apartment manager decided to give me a waiver due to not informing me about the system change when I met with her days before moving in. 2. I also agreed that if Katie or I had a late fee, Nicky would not paid a partial amount(she’s extremely selfish. Whole other story).
I texted Nicky yesterday and said I don’t think it’s fair for us to pay the partial amount.
She responded by saying it is fair be because it’s only $33 if we all pitch in and once again, Katie and I had our late fee waived. AITA?
the late fee belongs exclusively to Nicky.
Info: why did Katie get her late fee waived when you did? I find it odd that you didn’t mention that in your post when you specifically explained why your fee was waived.
ETA: I don’t think you’re an AH but I find this entire system weird. Why is your roommate complaining about the late fee to you instead of the apartment manager?
>one waiver is granted per apartment during a 1-year lease
I’m guessing they’ve been there 2 years meaning they got a 2nd waiver the second year. That was my assumption at least
NTA. Nicky was late, therefore Nicky is responsible for the late fee.
YTA, one of you got the free late fee waiver. That’s not fair to expect Nicky to pay the full late fee now just because she wasn’t the first person in the year to be late and get the fee waiver.
I find it odd that OP did not mention why Katie’s late fee was waived. I feel like this is important info that she didn’t include in the post.
Katie’s fee was waived because that was the “1 free waive”.
OPs was late because through the apartment managers fault, so they waived it as it was not OPs fault for being given incorrect payment deadline.
Basically OPs late fee was not their fault and really doesn’t count as being irresponsible. Katie however …
I mean OP shouldn’t have even had to use a waiver if it was a system issue.
NTA her share of the rent is her responsibility. You guys handled your business and if she knew she couldn’t get the fee waived then she should’ve gotten paid on time. I’m not sure how being sick makes you late on rent. Most places you can pay online but if she needed to drop it off, I’m sure she could’ve asked to send her share with you guys when you went to pay.
Just say no. She’s the one that was late you two were one time.
Light YTA. I think the main thing to look at is you said that you’re doing what Nicky would do in your shoes, and then you said you think she would act that way because she’s extremely selfish. Don’t you think choosing to act like an extremely selfish person also makes you selfish? Don’t act like people you don’t want to be like. That said, it’s not fair that Nicky is getting punished because you and Katie got late fees before her. Since you two got free rides, its only fair to split Nicky’s first late fee with her. That way you each got one late fee paid for, and you’re even. Even if it’s not what she would do, its still the right thing to do. And now that you’ve all benefitted from getting the two late fees waived and one supplemented, you can all start paying your own late fees from here on out.
Your late fee was waived due to the apartment manager’s error. Doesn’t Nicky have internet banking? She may have been sick, but surely her payments should be direct debit. Isn’t that normal?
NTA
Your late fee was waived because the apartment didn’t inform you of some changes and things weren’t processed properly. Katie’s late fee was waived because the building will waive one late fee per year when someone’s forgotten to pay? And the other roommate forgot to pay and there aren’t any more free passes this year?
Not fair that if you mess up first you get a gift and the next person has to pay. Katie should be splitting it with the roommate because there have been two instances of people forgetting to pay and $100 in charges. Also, being sick or forgetting are bad excuses, so they should be charged
INFO: Why was Katie’s fee waived?