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Chasing rent arrears: a fair, staged process

Most arrears are a wobble, not a war. A staged process recovers the rent, keeps salvageable tenancies intact, and builds the paper trail you'll need if it isn't salvageable.

Lettright Guides · General guidance, not legal advice

First, know which situation you're in

Arrears come in three flavours: the administrative miss (changed bank, failed standing order, forgot), the genuine squeeze (lost hours, benefits delay, life event), and the won't-pay. The process below treats everyone as flavour one until the evidence says otherwise — which is both the decent approach and the one that recovers the most money.

The staged approach

1. Day 1–3 — the friendly nudge. A short, neutral message: rent due on the 1st hasn't arrived; can they check? No accusations — banks genuinely do fail payments. Most arrears end here.
2. Day 7 — the written follow-up. Email or letter stating the amount outstanding, the date it was due, and asking for payment or contact within 7 days. Attach a rent statement showing how the balance arose — numbers end arguments that adjectives start.
3. Day 14 — the conversation. Phone or meet. If it's a genuine squeeze, a written payment plan (current rent plus an affordable amount off the arrears) recovers more than pressure does — and signpost support: tenants may be entitled to Universal Credit housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments, or help from the council. If there's a guarantor, this is the point to notify them in writing.
4. Day 21–28 — the formal letter. If there's no engagement: a formal letter setting out the arrears, the history of attempts to resolve, and stating that you'll consider your legal options if payment or a plan isn't in place by a clear date.
5. Month 2+ — the legal route. Possession on arrears grounds or a money claim becomes the realistic path. The rules here are changing under the Renters' Rights reforms — thresholds and notice periods are moving — so take current advice before serving anything.

What not to do

• Never harass — repeated calls, turning up unannounced, contacting employers. It can amount to a criminal offence and poisons any court's view of you.
• Never change locks or interfere with the tenancy — unlawful eviction is a criminal matter, whatever the arrears.
• Don't let it drift silently. The kindest and the firmest strategies both fail if the first contact happens at month three. Early, calm, consistent beats late and angry every time.

Prevention beats collection

The portfolios with the least arrears share habits: rent collected by standing order on a known date, a same-day flag when a payment doesn't land, statements tenants can see, and a reputation for noticing quickly. Tenants prioritise the rent that's visibly watched.

This guide is general guidance, not legal advice. Possession rules are changing under the Renters' Rights reforms — take current advice (e.g. from a solicitor or landlord association) before formal action.