Claim Unpaid Rent in the UK (Landlord Guide)Claim Unpaid Rent in the UK (Landlord Guide)
Complete guide to recovering unpaid rent through Money Claim Online (MCOL) in England & Wales, Simple Procedure in Scotland, and court processes in Northern Ireland.
Recover unpaid rent with a court-ready pack
If the tenant still occupies the property, pair debt recovery with eviction action.
Money Claim Pack available for England only
You may also need: If the tenant is still in the property, start eviction with our complete eviction pack.
Jump to your jurisdiction:
Before You Make a Money Claim
Important: You must follow the Pre-Action Protocol before starting court proceedings. This includes sending a formal letter before action giving the tenant a chance to pay.
Have questions about rent arrears recovery?
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1. Send Demand Letter
Send a formal letter before action demanding payment within 14-30 days. This is a legal requirement before court action.
Generate Free Demand Letter →2. Calculate Total Owed
Calculate the total amount including rent arrears plus 8% statutory interest from the date each payment was due.
Calculate Arrears + Interest →Evidence You Will Need:
- Signed tenancy agreement
- Rent statements / schedule
- Bank statements showing missed payments
- Copy of letter before action
- Proof letter was sent (recorded delivery)
- Any tenant correspondence
Money Claim Costs, Timelines & Common Mistakes
Courts move faster when landlords submit the right evidence and follow the pre-action rules. Use these checkpoints to avoid delays.
Timeline overview
- Letter before claim: 14 days.
- Default judgment: 2–4 weeks.
- Defended claim: 3–6 months.
Costs to plan
- MCOL fees based on claim value.
- Simple Procedure fees in Scotland.
- Enforcement fees if tenant ignores judgment.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the letter before action.
- Missing proof of arrears.
- Incorrect tenant address for service.
England & Wales: Money Claim Online (MCOL)
Money Claim Online (MCOL) is the fastest and cheapest way to make a money claim in England and Wales. You can claim amounts up to £100,000 entirely online. For claims up to £10,000, the process is handled through the small claims track.
Send Letter Before Action
Give tenant 14-30 days to pay before starting proceedings.
Start Claim on MCOL Website
Register at moneyclaim.gov.uk and complete the online claim form. Pay the court fee based on claim value.
Defendant Response
The tenant has 14 days to respond. They can pay, admit the claim, or defend it.
Get Judgment
If no response, request default judgment. If defended, case proceeds to hearing.
Enforcement (if needed)
If tenant still does not pay, use enforcement: bailiffs, attachment of earnings, charging orders.
MCOL Court Fees (England & Wales)
Fees as of 2026 - check gov.uk for current rates
| Claim Amount | Court Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 - £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 - £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 - £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 - £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 - £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 - £10,000 | £455 |
Need Help with Your Claim?
Our Money Claim Pack includes pre-filled N1 claim form, letter before action, rent schedule, and step-by-step guidance.
Get Money Claim Pack — £45.99Scotland: Simple Procedure
In Scotland, money claims up to £5,000 use the Simple Procedure through the Sheriff Court. This is similar to England's small claims track. For claims over £5,000, you use Ordinary Cause procedure.
Simple Procedure Process
- Step 1: Send a formal demand letter to the tenant
- Step 2: Complete Simple Claim Form (Form 3A) online or on paper
- Step 3: Submit to your local Sheriff Court with the fee
- Step 4: Court serves claim on the tenant
- Step 5: If not disputed, get a decision. If disputed, attend hearing.
Scotland Simple Procedure Fees
| Claim Amount | Court Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £19 |
| £300.01 - £1,500 | £77 |
| £1,500.01 - £3,000 | £87 |
| £3,000.01 - £5,000 | £104 |
For claims over £5,000, use Ordinary Cause procedure (higher fees apply). Check Scottish Courts website for current fees.
Northern Ireland: Small Claims Court
In Northern Ireland, money claims up to £3,000 go through the Small Claims Court. Larger claims use the County Court. The process is similar to England but uses NI-specific forms and courts.
Northern Ireland Debt Recovery
- Small claims (up to £3,000): Simplified process through the Small Claims Court
- Larger claims: County Court civil bill process
- Pre-action: Send letter before action as in other jurisdictions
- Forms: Check NI Courts and Tribunals Service website for current forms
Eviction vs Money Claim: What's the Difference?
Eviction (Possession Claim)
- •Gets the tenant OUT of the property
- •Uses Section 21/8 (England) or Notice to Leave (Scotland)
- •Does NOT automatically include money judgment
- •May include money claim in same proceedings
Money Claim
- •Gets you PAID for the rent owed
- •Uses MCOL (England/Wales) or Simple Procedure (Scotland)
- •Does NOT remove tenant from property
- •Can be pursued against former tenants
Can I do both at the same time?
Yes! Many landlords pursue eviction first, then make a separate money claim for arrears. Alternatively, you can claim arrears in the possession proceedings by including a money claim in your court forms. Our Complete Eviction Pack includes both.
Ready to Claim Your Unpaid Rent?
Our Money Claim Pack (England only) includes everything you need: letter before action, N1 claim form, rent schedule, and step-by-step guidance.
Recover unpaid rent with a court-ready pack
If the tenant still occupies the property, pair debt recovery with eviction action.
Pack available for England only. See sections above for Scotland and Northern Ireland court processes.
UK money claims
Next legal steps
Recommended next step for recovering rent arrears.
Related landlord resources
- Rent Arrears Letter Template
Demand letter template
- UK Money Claim Online guide
MCOL steps, fees, and enforcement tips.
- England & Wales MCOL guide
Claim routes and court forms for MCOL.
- Scotland Simple Procedure
Sheriff Court route for arrears claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unsure whether to evict or claim?
Use our decision guide to choose the best route for your case.