Nowadays bounced checks affect everybody. The bank collects a hefty fee from the person who wrote the check and another from the person who tried to cash it.

You have every right to impose your own fee for bounced checks. But it has to be reasonable. Use banks as your guideline and don't go any higher. So, if the banks in your area are getting $28 to $30 for each returned check, you can ask for just as much without having a problem.

Don't resubmit bounced checks. To ensure that you get your rent payment, tell your tenant to give you a money order or cashier's check. If your tenant seems to be establishing a pattern of bouncing checks, you have two choices: insist upon a money order or cashier's check every month or start eviction proceedings.