Letter to Request Arrears of Rent

This document is a letter that can be used to notify tenants that they are in arrears of rent payment and requests that the outstanding balance be paid immediately or by a specific date. This document can be used by either a Landlord or a Letting Agent. The document can reflect if the letter is a first demand for payment of rent or if the Tenant has already received similar letters.

The document provides a simple template that enables a person to set out the balance of the outstanding sum and the original due date of the outstanding sum.

How to use this document

This document should be filled in properly so that the details of the outstanding rent are accurately contained within the letter. The Tenant should be given reasonable time to make payment to the Landlord of the outstanding rent.

Upon completion of this document it should be signed by the Landlord or by a person authorised by the Landlord, such as a Letting Agent. Where there is a written tenancy agreement between the parties, this letter should be delivered to the Tenant by any method specified within that agreement. Where there is specification of how notices/letters should be delivered, simply post it to the tenant or tenants if there are more than one.

The letter should be sent as soon as possible after any rent has fallen into arrears, giving the Tenant adequate notice of the potential for further legal action to be taken before commencing any action in court.

Applicable Law

Where a Tenant has signed a written tenancy agreement, the terms and conditions of this agreement should be upheld and followed where a Tenant defaults on any rent payments. In many circumstances tenants will have security of tenure which means that even if they fall into arrears, they cannot be evicted without a court order.

England and Wales
In England and Wales, the applicable legislation will vary depending upon the type of tenancy agreement, but in most cases the Housing Act 1988 is likely to apply.

Scotland
In Scotland the applicable legislation is the: Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, the Private Residential Tenancies (Statutory Terms) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and the Private Residential Tenancies (Prescribed Notices and Forms) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland the applicable legislation is: the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Rent Book Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.