Late fees imposed on rent for holiday??

[Aeroforce]

The landlord has been picking up our rent since they misplaced it and accused us of not paying (they later found the rent and apologized). He picks it up on the first of the month. Well on New Years Day, he calls and i am out of town. I tell him I'm out of town and i will be home tomorrow and he can stop by. The money order is dated 12/31 so its clear i have the money. he wants to charge a $75 late fee now. is this legal on an $800/month rent? Especially it being a holiday and there is nothing he would have been able to do with the money order anyways?? It does state the $75 fee in the lease, however it just seems absurd for 1 day late on a holiday. Any advice?

[TenantNet]

Look here:
http://tenant.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38371#38371

[Cranky Tenant]

I think it's just as absurd that your ll expects you to sit at home, holiday or not, waiting for him to stop by to pick up the rent. Personally I wouldn't even take a call from my ll on a holiday unless it was for my benefit. Let' em leave it to voicemail.

Why not take the opportunity to tell him you'll mail the rent, from now on, so as not to inconvenience him any further. And that $75 late fee? I'd ignore it.

[lofter1]

January 1 is a banking holiday.

Next year tell him Happy New Year and Shove It.