Not to get too metaphysical here but this is one of those “who pays” questions I get so often.
Today, at an inspection, I apparently surprised my buyer by telling her that she would not be paying me.
However, it is paid out of the proceeds of the sale which are paid by the buyer.
Most people see that as the seller paying.

In other words, commissions and liens get paid from the proceeds of the sale. This is money that would otherwise be going to the seller. In a short sale, the seller would not be getting that anyway so he does not care how much it is or how much the late fees are. He nets zero either way.