Apologizing for Late Rent

The task

Your rent was due on the first of the month, but your payment did not go through. Your landlord has sent you a reminder that the rent has not been received. Write an email to your landlord in about 150-200 words. In your email, do the following:

• Apologize and explain why the payment was late.
• Tell your landlord when and how you will pay.
• Explain what you will do to prevent this in the future.

Length

150–200 words

Time

27 minutes

Question

5 of 15

Dear Mr. Dubois, Thank you for your reminder yesterday, and please accept my apologies for the late rent payment this month. I recently moved my accounts to a new bank, and I wrongly assumed that my automatic transfer would be moved along with them. Unfortunately, it was cancelled when my old account was closed, and I did not notice until I read your message. I have already arranged to pay the full $1,650 by e-transfer this afternoon, so you should receive it before the end of the day. If our lease sets a late fee, I will gladly pay that as well, so just tell me the amount. If you would prefer a different form of payment, please let me know. So that this never happens again, I have set up a new monthly transfer that will go out on the 28th of each month, a few days before the rent is due. I have also added a reminder to my phone calendar so that I can check it each month. I have always tried to be a reliable tenant, and I am sorry for the inconvenience. Sincerely, Elena Popescu

Why this answer works

• The apology is immediate and sincere, and the explanation (a bank change that cancelled the automatic transfer) takes responsibility rather than making excuses.
• The payment bullet is fully answered with the amount, method and timing, and the writer even offers to pay any late fee the lease sets, which suits the landlord-tenant relationship.
• The prevention paragraph uses a clear purpose structure ("So that this never happens again") and two specific measures, keeping the organisation tight.