Late or unpaid rent can quickly disrupt your cash flow and cause serious financial stress. If your tenant has fallen behind on payments or stopped paying altogether, it is important to act quickly to protect your position and maximise your chances of recovering the money you are owed.

Our specialist landlord solicitors help residential landlords across the UK to recover rent arrears efficiently, lawfully, and with minimal difficulty. Whether the tenant is still in the property or has already left, we provide clear legal advice and take the necessary steps to recover unpaid rent through negotiation, court action, or enforcement.

How Can a Landlord Recover Rent Arrears

There are several legal routes available, depending on whether the tenant remains in the property, the size of the debt, and whether a guarantor is liable. Acting quickly and following the correct procedure is key to increasing your chances of success. Our team will assess your situation and advise on the most effective route to recover rent owed by a tenant.

Procedure for Landlords to Recover Rent Arrears

Percy Hughes & Roberts can provide a complete, end-to-end service for landlords who need to recover rent arrears. This includes: 

1.    Tracing Tenants and Guarantors
If your tenant has left without paying, we work with trusted tracing agents to locate them or their guarantor, along with information on their financial position. This helps determine the best enforcement route.

2.    Drafting and Serving Legal Notices
If the tenant is still in the property and arrears remain unpaid, we can issue the correct legal notices, such as a Section 8 notice for rent arrears, giving you a strong legal position to pursue possession and a money judgment.  

3.    Negotiating Repayment Plans
Where possible, we aim to secure repayment without lengthy court action. This might involve structured instalments or lump-sum settlements.

4.    Court Action
If the tenant refuses to pay, we can take court action to obtain a County Court Judgment (CCJ) and, if necessary, transfer the case to the High Court for enforcement.

The Best Way to Recover Rent Arrears

The most effective strategy is to act early. The sooner action is taken, the more options are available and the higher the chance of recovering the full amount. Waiting too long can allow tenants to move, hide assets, or become insolvent, making recovery far more difficult.

In our experience, the best way to recover rent arrears is to move quickly from initial contact and formal notices to legal action if payment is not made. This avoids prolonged disputes and shows the tenant you are serious about pursuing what you are owed. Our landlord solicitors focus on protecting your legal position from the start, gathering the evidence needed to prove your claim and using the most efficient route to secure payment, whether that means negotiating a settlement, obtaining a court judgment, or enforcing it through bailiffs, charging orders, or other methods.

By acting fast and following the correct legal process, you significantly increase your chances of recovering unpaid rent in full.
 

Recovering Rent Arrears After Eviction

Many landlords assume that once a tenant has been evicted, the opportunity to recover rent arrears has passed. In reality, you may still be able to recover what is owed for up to six years after the debt arises.
We regularly help landlords:

• Claim against guarantors who agreed to cover unpaid rent.
• Locate tenants and assess their financial position.
• Enforce existing judgments through bailiffs or charging orders.

Even if you think the tenant has no money now, enforcement can be delayed until their circumstances improve.

What To Do When a Tenant Stops Paying Rent

If your tenant has stopped paying rent, take immediate steps to protect your position:

• Record all missed payments.
• Keep written communication with the tenant.
• Avoid informal cash in hand agreements without documentation.

Citizens Advice provides clear guidance on the landlord’s position when tenants fall into arrears, which you can read here. We can step in quickly to issue the necessary notices and start the recovery process before arrears spiral.

You can read our comprehensive guide on this topic here.
 

Rent Arrears Dispute Resolution

Court action is not always the best first step. In many cases, a constructive conversation or formal mediation can resolve disputes more quickly and at a lower cost, while also preserving the landlord-tenant relationship. Mediation can be particularly effective where the arrears have built up due to temporary financial difficulties, such as illness, redundancy, or delays in benefit payments.

Our solicitors can represent you throughout the mediation process to ensure your legal rights are protected and any repayment agreement is properly documented. A formal repayment plan, signed by both parties, can be enforced if necessary, giving you a clear route to recover the money owed without the delays and expenses of court proceedings.

By exploring dispute resolution early, you may be able to recover rent arrears in full, avoid lengthy possession proceedings, and maintain a professional relationship with your tenant. This approach can also demonstrate to the court that you have taken reasonable steps to resolve the matter if legal action later becomes necessary.

Legal Advice for Rent Arrears

Every rent arrears case is different, which is why tailored legal advice is essential. We will:

• Review your tenancy agreement.
• Assess the arrears and any supporting evidence.
• Advise on the most cost-effective recovery route.
• Handle all correspondence and legal filings.

Rent Arrears Solicitor UK - Wirral and Nationwide

From our Wirral office, we work with landlords locally and across the UK, providing practical legal solutions for recovering unpaid rent. Whether you own a single rental property or manage a large portfolio, our landlord solicitors have the knowledge and experience to act quickly and maximise your chances of recovery.

As a rent arrears solicitor UK landlords trust, we combine local expertise with nationwide reach, meaning we can represent you effectively regardless of where your property is located. Our approach is always tailored to your circumstances, ensuring you receive clear advice and a recovery strategy that is both efficient and cost-effective.

Speak to a Rent Arrears Solicitor Today

If you are a landlord dealing with rent arrears, whether your tenant is still in the property or has already left, our specialist Wirral landlord solicitors are here to help.

Contact us today for clear legal advice and a practical tenant rent recovery strategy. We can discuss your case in a free initial consultation and explain the best way forward.