My lease states there is a late fee for late rent payments. I received a letter today requesting late fees for rent paid late on these dates...

Question

My lease states there is a late fee for late rent payments. I received a letter today requesting late fees for rent paid late on these dates; 4/6/11, 7/6/11, 9/7/11, & 12/6/11. The letter was dated 10/10/2012. I agree that my rent was probably paid late, but requesting the fee more than a year later I think is questionable. What is the rule is any on this. I live in California

Answer

For a written lease they have four years to go after you for any money owed and not paid. You can argue waiver by conduct in defense. Then it's up to the court to decide. Of course you would then be the defendant in an eviction case. Up to you if you want to go there.