Read your lease carefully. Every lease is structured differently. Some leases require that the rent be paid on the first of the month with no allowance for being late, while others may give a 10 day or more "grace period." If you do end up paying your rent late or after the "grace period" your late fee should be stated in your lease. Some leases will indicate a percentage of the rent amount while others will give a dollar amount.

Landlords are usually willing be accept multiple checks from the roommates who signed the lease. Don't be afraid to submit more than one check but be sure that the checks total the full rent amount. If you must pay your rent in cash get a signed receipt. Be sure to save your canceled checks and/or money order receipts if you should ever have to verify your rent payments. Landlords and property management companies make mistakes too.

Before you send your first check in, confirm the mailing address. The lease will usually indicate were the rent should be paid. If you live in an apartment building you may be able to deliver the rent to the leasing office. Regardless of where you live be sure to pay your rent before the end of the "grace period" to protect your credit.