How to chase an unpaid invoice, step by step.
A plain-English guide for UK trades: what to send and when, what you can charge on late payments, and what to do if they still won't pay.
Last checked 5 November 2026. This is general information for England and Wales, not legal advice.
Polite, then firm, then formal.
Day 1 overdue: a friendly nudge
Most late payers have just forgotten. A short, friendly message with the invoice attached gets most of them.
Day 7: a firmer reminder, then a call
Restate the amount and the date it was due, and ask when you can expect it. If there's no reply, ring them.
Day 14 to 30: final reminder
Say what happens next and by when. Keep it factual and calm.
Then: letter of claim and court
If they still won't pay, send a formal letter of claim. After the waiting period you can claim online through the county court.
Most chasing is won before you start.
Get it in writing
A written quote the customer has agreed to, with the price, what's included and the payment terms, is your best evidence if it comes to it.
Set clear terms
Say when payment is due, for example "within 7 days of the invoice", and how to pay. For big jobs, take a deposit or stage payments.
Invoice the same day
An invoice sent while the job is fresh gets paid faster. Include the due date, your bank details and the job address.
Three messages you can copy.
1. Friendly nudge
Hi [name], just a reminder that invoice [number] for £[amount] for the work at [address] was due on [date]. I've attached it again in case it went astray. Thanks, [your name]
2. Firmer reminder
Hi [name], invoice [number] for £[amount] is now [x] days overdue. Could you let me know today when it will be paid? My bank details are on the invoice. Thanks, [your name]
3. Final reminder
Hi [name], invoice [number] for £[amount] is still unpaid, [x] days after it was due. Unless it's paid by [date, 7 days away], I'll start the formal process to recover it, which can add costs. If there's a problem with the work, please tell me now so we can sort it. [your name]
Keep every message. Dates and copies matter if you go to court.
It depends who your customer is.
| Customer | Interest | Extra charges |
|---|---|---|
| A business (landlord, letting agent, main contractor) | Statutory interest of 8% a year above the Bank of England base rate, under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, even if your terms don't mention it. | A fixed sum per invoice: £40 if it's under £1,000, £70 from £1,000 to £9,999.99, £100 for £10,000 or more. Plus reasonable recovery costs. |
| A homeowner (consumer) | The Act doesn't apply. You can only charge interest if your agreed terms say so, and the rate must be fair. | Only what your terms allow. Court fees can be added to a court claim. |
Which base rate?
For statutory interest, use the base rate in force on 30 June or 31 December just before the invoice became overdue. It's fixed for that debt.
Default payment terms
Between businesses, if no date was agreed, payment is due 30 days after the invoice or the work, whichever is later.
Coming, not here yet
The Commercial Payments Bill would cap business payment terms and make interest compulsory. It's still going through Parliament and isn't law yet.
The formal route.
- Send a letter of claim. If your customer is an individual or a sole trader, you must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims: a letter setting out the debt, with an information sheet, a reply form and a financial statement form. They have 30 days to reply.
- Try to settle. If they reply, try to agree a payment plan. If you can't agree, give at least 14 days' notice before you start a claim.
- Claim online. You can make a money claim online for up to £25,000. Claims under £10,000 usually go to the small claims track, where you don't need a solicitor. You pay a court fee up front, but you can add it to the claim. Both sides are offered free mediation.
- Enforce if needed. A court judgment isn't money in the bank. If they still don't pay, you can apply to enforce it, for example through bailiffs. That costs another fee, usually added to the debt.
Keep it professional.
Don't threaten, turn up repeatedly or embarrass someone in front of others. Harassing a debtor is a criminal offence, and it weakens your case. And don't refuse to hand over things they're entitled to, like safety certificates, as leverage. Ask for advice first.
The first three steps, done for you.
Each morning Fixiqo shows which invoices are overdue and writes the reminder. You send it from your own phone, in your own name. It doesn't send legal letters or make court claims; for those, use GOV.UK or a solicitor. How chasing works
Unpaid invoice questions
How long should I wait before chasing?
Send a friendly reminder the day after the due date. Leaving it longer tells the customer it can wait.
Can I add interest to a homeowner's invoice?
Only if your agreed terms said so before the work started. The Late Payment Act only covers business customers.
Do I need a solicitor to claim?
No. Small claims under £10,000 are designed for people to bring themselves, and the claim can be made online.
How long do I have to claim?
Generally six years from when the money became due in England and Wales, but the sooner the better.