Insane Late Fees

[philtar]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Pennsylvania

A miscommunication happened between my roommate and I over who is supposed to be paying utilities and we missed around eight months. The apartment is split into four leases, both of us signed two each.

They are usually around $50-60 a month. We paid around $1000 a little while back. After speaking with our landlord he said the remaining + late fees comes up to $1600 A LEASE!

I've done some math (this is not 100% accurate, but very close enough):
The total actual due is around: $2200
We paid: $1000.

The remaining is $1200 (actual) + $5200 (late fees). Approximately $22 a day.

Is this anywhere near legal? Our situation is a little bit abnormal as we are international students and aren't given SSNs, our landlord makes us pay the rent for the whole year upfront and renewals must be signed 7 months before the lease is over if we want to keep this place.

[cyjeff]

What does your lease agreement say?

[philtar]

I don't have it on me right now and I'm sort of panicking. Earliest I can get a copy is on Thursday.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Late fees are a matter of contract, so it's important to let us know (a) what's in your lease and (b) if the charges are consistent with your lease.

Beyond that, it may be possible to raise a reasonable defense, but I'm not yet seeing any legal authority on that topic for your state.