For landlords · 6 min read
Rent arrears: a calm, correct order of steps
Most arrears are resolved fastest by early, documented, non-adversarial contact. Check the payment has genuinely not arrived, contact the tenant in writing immediately, establish whether the cause is temporary or structural, and offer a written payment plan where it is recoverable. Keep a precise rent record throughout, because any later formal step depends on being able to evidence exactly what was owed and when. Formal notice is a last resort, and serving it incorrectly restarts the process.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do when a tenant misses rent?
Confirm the payment genuinely has not arrived, then contact the tenant in writing within a day or two to ask what has happened and when they will pay. Early, documented, neutral contact resolves most arrears faster than formal letters sent weeks later.
Should I agree a payment plan for rent arrears?
Usually yes where the cause is temporary and the tenant is engaging. Put it in writing with the arrears figure, catch-up amount, dates and consequences of a missed payment, and make sure it is realistic — an unaffordable plan just delays the problem.
How much rent arrears is needed for possession?
Thresholds depend on which ground is used and the rules in force at the time, and preconditions such as deposit protection and prescribed documents must be satisfied. Take legal advice before serving notice — an incorrectly served notice means starting the process again.
Can I evict a tenant immediately for non-payment?
No. Removing a tenant without a court order is unlawful eviction and a criminal offence. Possession requires correct notice on the current prescribed form and, if not vacated, a court order.