Q: Who is included in the halachic requirement for timely payment of wages?

A: As mentioned in the beginning of this series, there is a mitzvah to pay wages in a timely manner and two prohibitions against delaying payment. The requirement to pay promptly and the prohibitions to delay apply to both regular employees and someone hired on a one-time basis. It does not make a difference whether the worker is paid by the hour or paid a flat fee for the job (C. M. 339:6). Furthermore, the requirement applies even to services rendered by a minor (e.g., babysitting, lawn mowing), and even if the wages amount to a small sum. It also applies regardless of whether the worker is poor or wealthy (Ahavas Chesed 9:3,5,8).

This requirement to pay promptly applies not only to wages, but also to rental fees. There is an opinion that the prohibition does not apply to property rental, but many authorities maintain that it applies also to real estate (C.M. 339:1; Ahavas Chesed 9:5). Therefore, a renter has to be especially careful to pay his rent bill promptly. The same is true for someone who leases an auto or other equipment.