Illegal Late Fees

You Should Not Pay Illegal Late Fees

If you have paid a late fee on a video or cell phone or for a cable bill you may be entitled to it back even if the contract says the company can charge for it. Late fees for credit cards and apartment rental properties are also suspect. You also may be entitled to more than the late fee back if the company does it to others. A five-dollar late fee for a pager may be illegal.

Did you know it might be an illegal penalty to charge late fees on rent or on condo assessments? This was a recent case to hold for this proposition. If you or anyone you know has suffered from this practice call us to discuss how we can help. 3rd Dist. Hidden Grove v. Crooks No. 3-00-0329 (January 29, 2001) Rock Island County (HOLDRIDGE) Reversed and remanded. Provision in bylaw of condominium association which assess late payment of $25.00 for each month that each payment is late amounts to impermissible penalty and is unenforceable. There is no rational relationship between assessment and damages associated with administrative cost of late payment.