Due Dates: What You Need to Know About Rent, Taxes, and Lease Deadlines

When it comes to due dates, the specific deadlines for paying rent, property taxes, or ending a lease. Also known as payment deadlines, these dates aren’t just reminders—they’re legal milestones that affect your credit, your deposit, and even your ability to sell or rent property. Miss one, and you could face fees, lawsuits, or lost rights—no matter how good your intentions were.

Property tax due dates, when local governments require payment for owning land or a home. Also known as tax payment deadlines, they vary by state. In Virginia, taxes are paid in arrears, meaning you pay for the year that just ended. That means if you close on a house in June, you’re responsible for the full year’s tax, but the seller will usually reimburse you for the time they owned it. This is called proration—and getting it wrong can cost you thousands. Then there’s lease termination deadlines, the rules around when you can legally end a rental agreement. In Virginia, landlords must try to re-rent your unit before charging you for the full remaining lease. But you still need to give proper notice, or you’ll owe rent until someone else moves in. And don’t forget rent payment deadlines, when your monthly rent is officially late. Most leases say rent is due on the 1st, but some states allow a grace period. In Maryland, for example, landlords can’t charge late fees until five days after the due date. But in Virginia? There’s no state-mandated grace period. If your lease says the 1st, then the 1st is it.

These deadlines aren’t random. They’re tied to laws, tax cycles, and landlord-tenant rules that differ by state. One person in Texas might pay property taxes once a year in October. Someone in New York might pay monthly rent on the 5th and get hit with a $50 fee on the 6th. And if you’re a non-resident landlord living abroad? Missing a tax deadline could freeze your bank account or block you from selling your property. It’s not just about money—it’s about control. Get the dates right, and you keep your rights. Miss them, and you hand power to the system.

Below, you’ll find real-world breakdowns of what happens when due dates aren’t met—from how much you owe when breaking a lease in Virginia, to why some landlords can raise rent by $300, to how Maryland rental licenses are timed to avoid delays. These aren’t theoretical rules. They’re the fine print that affects your wallet, your credit, and your peace of mind. Know the dates. Know the rules. Don’t guess.