Quote Quoting alexnc22
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Landlord is asking . . . that I pay all late fees. . . . the lease talks about it
What EXACTLY does your lease say about late fees? Please quote the language.


Quote Quoting alexnc22
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the landlord has NEVER once reminded me of it
Why would your landlord have to remind you about the provisions of a contract to which you are a party and of which you (presumably) have a copy?


Quote Quoting alexnc22
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the landlord has NEVER . . . charged me late fees so I have been paying rent whenever I could.
So...you admittedly breached the contract by not paying rent when it was due. Right? Does the lease require that the landlord formally "charge" you in this regard?


Quote Quoting alexnc22
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why didn't landlord tell me this at that time if it was due?
Rather obviously, no one here is in any position to explain your landlord's reason(s) for doing or not doing things.


Quote Quoting alexnc22
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Is this even lawful?
Depends on what the lease says.


Quote Quoting alexnc22
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can I refuse to pay it and then sue landlord for deposit not being returned to me?
Sure you can (but the ability to sue is obviously different from the ability to win).