Unpaid Rent?
Recover It Formally.
Whether your tenant is still in the property or has already left — a professionally prepared Letter Before Action is the most effective first step to recovering what you're owed. No solicitor needed.
£3.5B+
Rent arrears owed to UK landlords
6 yrs
Limitation period to claim
14
Days LBA deadline for payment
60-80%
Paid after Letter Before Action
Why informal chasing stops working
Most landlords dealing with rent arrears follow the same pattern: a polite message, then another, then a call that doesn't get answered. For some tenants, that's enough. For others, it isn't.
At that point, informal pressure has run its course. The only thing that shifts the situation is formal legal action — and the Letter Before Action is that line. It communicates clearly that you have moved from polite requests to legal proceedings.
Why the LBA works
A Letter Before Action is the required precursor to any court claim in England and Wales. Receiving one signals to the tenant that you are serious, that you know the process, and that court proceedings will follow if they do not act. Many landlords find it resolves the debt entirely — without ever going to court.
Current tenants in arrears
Former tenants who left owing rent
HMO landlords
Letting agents acting for landlords
Rent Arrears Recovery Pack
£99 — one-off payment
Everything a landlord needs to pursue unpaid rent through a formal, professional process — without a solicitor.
- Personalised Letter Before Action naming the arrears amount, tenancy dates, and payment deadline
- Case Strength Report — scored assessment of your claim and evidence quality
- Step-by-step recovery guide from LBA through to small claims court
- Evidence checklist: tenancy agreement, rent statements, correspondence
- Court particulars draft — ready to file on Money Claims Online
- Deposit claim guidance — how to use the scheme dispute process
- Instant PDF download — ready to send within minutes
One-off · Instant download · No subscription
Which scenario matches yours?
Rent arrears come in many forms. Select the scenario that best describes your situation to see how the pack applies.
Tenant vacated owing rent
8,100/moTenant left mid-tenancy or at end of tenancy without paying final months. No forwarding address provided. Deposit insufficient to cover the full arrears.
How the pack helps
The Letter Before Action is addressed directly to the tenant, names the exact arrears amount and tenancy period, and sets a 14-day deadline. It references your right to pursue the debt through the county court — which is often enough to prompt payment.
What happens after you send the Letter Before Action?
Sending a formal LBA for rent arrears sets a clear process in motion. Here's what to expect at each stage.
Tenant pays in full
Best outcomeThe most common outcome when a professionally prepared LBA is received. Many tenants take formal legal letters seriously when they understand court proceedings are the next step.
Tenant proposes a payment plan
AcceptableThe tenant acknowledges the arrears and offers to pay in instalments. You can accept this — but ensure any agreement is in writing. The LBA remains on record if they default.
No response — proceed to court
Next stepIf there is no response within 14 days, issue a claim through Money Claims Online (up to £10,000) or the county court. Your pack includes draft court particulars ready to file.
What about the deposit?
If the deposit is held in a government-approved scheme, you can claim against it for unpaid rent through the scheme's dispute resolution process. Our pack includes guidance on how to do this alongside — or instead of — a court claim.
Court claim — how it works
For arrears up to £10,000, you can issue a claim through Money Claims Online. For larger amounts, use the county court. Your pack includes draft court particulars — the text you need to file your claim — ready to copy and paste.
What evidence do you need?
You don't need a perfect paper trail to recover unpaid rent — but the stronger your evidence, the stronger your position. Here's what to gather before you start.
No written agreement?
Bank records, messages, and payment history are often enough. Our pack includes guidance on building your case without a formal contract.
Example: 3 months unpaid rent
Deposit claim and LBA can run simultaneously. Court fees are recoverable if you win.
Every month you wait, the debt grows harder to recover
Rent arrears are time-sensitive. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to locate the tenant, gather evidence, and enforce any judgment. Acting within the first 1–3 months of arrears gives you the best chance of recovery.
Tenant is easier to locate
Recent address, employer, and contact details are still current
Evidence is fresher
Bank records, messages, and statements are easier to obtain
Court enforcement is simpler
Recent CCJs are easier to enforce than older ones
6-year limitation period
You have time — but acting early maximises your chances
Unpaid rent recovery — your questions answered
Rent owed. Time to recover it.
Get your professional Letter Before Action for rent arrears today. Works for current tenants, former tenants, HMOs, and letting agents. Instant download — ready to send in minutes.
One-off payment · Instant download · No subscription · Works for current & former tenants
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