Good Chaser Journal
UK overdue invoice guides for freelancers and small businesses
Subscribe
Latest posts
What to Say When a Client Hasn't Paid an Invoice (UK)
Confirm the due date, amount and agreed payment terms before contacting the customer. Start with the possibility of an overlooked email or administrative delay rather than assuming bad faith. Ask whether payment has been scheduled and request a concrete date instead of asking vaguely for an update…
Second Payment Reminder Email: What to Write When the First Is Ignored
Refer to the first reminder and state when it was sent so the follow-up is part of a clear record. Specify the invoice number, outstanding amount and due date again so nobody needs to search older messages. Ask the customer to confirm payment by a stated date or explain any issue preventing it…
Final Demand for Payment Letter UK: What to Include
Set out both parties, the invoice, the goods or services delivered, the amount outstanding and the contractual due date. Summarise previous communications factually and give a reasonable response period. Do not label an ordinary reminder a formal court-compliant Letter of Claim unless the relevant…
How to Chase an Overdue Invoice Without Losing the Customer
Separate the customer's value as a future client from the need to settle an existing debt. Use a neutral subject line, accurate figures and a straightforward request for confirmation. Consider offering a short call when the problem appears to involve an approval bottleneck or a genuine…
Overdue Invoice Letter Template for UK Small Businesses
Choose a template only after checking the original invoice, agreement and recipient details. Replace every placeholder; do not send an unsigned generic demand with an invented payment deadline. Ask for the amount, invoice reference and expected payment date without threatening action you do not…
Client Ignoring Invoice Emails? Here's Your Next Step
Confirm that the recipient and email domain are correct and that attachments were not blocked. Use an alternative agreed business contact or a brief telephone call to establish whether the invoice was received. Distinguish silence from a stated dispute: they require different responses. Document…
How to Write a Firm but Polite Overdue Payment Email
Firmness comes from exact figures and a clear request, not accusations or aggressive language. Use the invoice reference and due date in the opening paragraph. State precisely when you want payment or a written explanation. Close with a professional invitation to flag any discrepancy in the account.
Invoice 30 Days Overdue: What Should You Do?
At thirty days, reconstruct the agreed payment date rather than relying only on the invoice issue date. Check whether there is a genuine dispute, credit note, purchase order problem or missing supporting document. Move from an informal nudge to a dated reminder with a clear response request. Keep…
Invoice 60 Days Overdue: How to Escalate Payment Requests
At sixty days, reconcile the ledger and record any partial payments. Send a firm written summary of the facts and earlier requests. For qualifying commercial debts, explore whether contractual or statutory late-payment rights apply. Consider the value of the claim, relationship and evidence before…
How to Ask for Payment Without Sounding Rude
Being direct about an agreed payment is a professional business action. Lead with the shared transaction and the balance rather than an apology. Give a simple question the recipient can answer: what date will the payment be made? Avoid emotional assumptions about why the client has not paid.
Customer Promised to Pay but Hasn't: What to Write Next
Refer to the exact promised date and the person who gave it. Ask whether the payment was sent and, if so, request remittance advice. If it was not sent, seek a new credible date and an explanation of the delay. Record the revised commitment without automatically treating it as a waiver of the…
Freelance Client Won't Pay: A Practical UK Guide
Collect the brief, quote, acceptance, delivery record and correspondence before escalating. Determine whether the client disputes quality, scope, timing or the amount owed. Compare what was agreed against what was actually delivered; do not assume every disagreement is mere avoidance. Send a calm…
Self-Employed and Not Been Paid for Work? What Next?
Start by identifying who contracted for the work and the agreed payment conditions. Organise proof of completed work, accepted milestones and the relevant invoice. Ask for a specific payment date and keep follow-ups in writing. Consider practical cash-flow steps while avoiding unsupported legal…
How to Chase an Unpaid Invoice as a Sole Trader
A sole trader should identify the correct debtor: an individual, limited company or another legal entity. Reconcile the amount against the quote and any deposits or credits. Make the invoice and payment instructions easy for the client to locate. Maintain records of each reminder and resolve any…
Final Payment Reminder Before Legal Action: UK Wording
A final reminder should remain factually accurate about the debt and your intentions. Check the right pre-action process; claims involving individuals can differ from business-to-business disputes. Use a reasonable deadline and ensure the debtor has enough detail to understand the claim. Avoid…
Can You Charge Interest on an Overdue Invoice in the UK?
Check whether the debt is commercial and whether contract terms specify interest. For qualifying commercial debts statutory interest can be eight percentage points above the relevant Bank of England base rate, subject to applicable rules. Calculate using the correct rate periods, days overdue and…
UK Late Payment Compensation: £40, £70 and £100 Explained
Fixed compensation can be available for qualifying commercial late payments. The statutory band depends on the debt amount, not on how angry the creditor feels. Check whether the transaction is genuinely a business-to-business debt and whether the rules apply. Keep a calculation sheet…
What to Do When a Business Customer Refuses to Pay an Invoice
Ask the customer to state exactly what they dispute in writing. Distinguish refusal because of alleged poor work from refusal caused by cash-flow difficulties. Respond point by point with dated documents, agreed specifications and delivery evidence. Consider settlement or advice before turning a…
Unpaid Invoice After Three Reminders: What Happens Next?
Repeated identical messages seldom add information or pressure. Summarise the timeline and determine if the payment is late, genuinely disputed or simply misdirected. Check the debtor identity and available evidence before considering escalation. Choose one proportionate next action rather than…
How to Write a Payment Demand Letter Without a Solicitor
A demand letter can be prepared personally if the transaction and amount are clear. State the factual basis of the claim and the response requested. Do not present the letter as a legally compliant formal pre-action notice without checking procedural requirements. Keep a complete copy of the…
In the directory since 4 Nov 2026 · last checked 9 Nov 2026 · RSS