Dealing With Late Rent Payment As A Landlord In North London 

It’s never easy dealing with late rent payments. What can you do if a tenant is not paying rent on your apartment in Kilburn, family home in sought-after West Hampstead or Cricklewood, or house in peaceful Dollis Hill? Perhaps you’re already picturing how quickly you might fill the vacancy if only you could get rid of the tenant not paying rent.  

As frustrating as it is, there’s a set process to follow – and you may be able to resolve the situation without legal action. In this guide, we explain how long a tenant could not pay rent before eviction, and which steps you need to take before going to court. 

Read on for our guide to how to deal with late rent payment in North London.  

Dealing with late rent payment – the process  

You may be able to deal with late rent payment relatively easily, but sometimes you will have to take further action. We have outlines what to do if your tenant has stopped paying rent, but you should always seek legal advice for your situation. 

1 Talk to your tenants  

After a few days, contact the tenants and politely ask if they’re aware and informing them rent arrears can lead to court action and eviction. There could be an innocent reason, such as a bank error or simple mistake, which can be rectified immediately – or perhaps you can offer a payment plan. Otherwise, prepare for the next steps.  

2 Send a formal letter  

It’s crucial that you form a paper trail to document your contact with the tenant, in case you have to start eviction proceedings. If the tenant doesn’t pay after your initial contact, send a formal letter detailing: 

• the unpaid rent amount 

• that you have already made contact and not received a response or payment 

• the date when you expect the outstanding rent in full 

• potential consequences (when the eviction process can be put in motion)  

Want to know more? If late payments escalate, you may need to move through the full process — read our guide on what to do when a tenant is not paying rent and ultimately how to evict a tenant should it come to that.

3 Contact your landlord insurance  

 Your landlord insurance policy may cover you for unpaid rent, so contact your provider to find out. Find out exactly what steps you need to follow to make a claim if the rent isn’t paid.  

4 Send another letter  

If the tenant doesn’t pay after 14 days, send another letter. Explain what will happen if a tenant does not pay rent – that you will have to seek possession.  

5 Contact the guarantor (if applicable)  

Write to the guarantor, if your tenant has one, and report that the tenant is not paying rent. Outline the same information provided to the tenant, including when the rent was due, and that they will be served a notice of eviction if they don’t pay. 

6 Send a final warning  

After 21 days have elapsed, send the tenant a final warning. Make it clear that this is the final step before you take legal action. Once the tenants are 2 months in arrears, you can give 2 weeks’ notice before you begin the eviction process.  

7 Begin eviction proceedings  

Once the tenants are 2 months in arrears, you can start the eviction process by serving a Section 21 notice or Section 8 notice.  

Section 21 notice 

You must give tenants 2 months’ notice to leave the property using Form 6a or your own written notice. A ‘no fault’ notice can only be served beyond the first 4 months of a periodic tenancy, or during a statutory periodic tenancy (after a fixed term has ended). 

Section 8 notice  

Landlords can give between 2 weeks and 2 months’ notice, depending on the reason for the eviction. Used when the tenant has broken the terms of the tenancy agreement, you must state why you plan to claim possession of your rental property on Form 3. It’s your legal right under the Housing Act 1988, but you must still follow the rules carefully. 

Want to find out more? Thorough tenant referencing can significantly reduce the risk of arrears before they begin — or consider whether full rental management could take the stress of chasing payments off your hands entirely.

8 Go to court (if necessary)  

If the tenants don’t pay, won’t leave or challenge your eviction notice, you can take them to court by making a possession claim or accelerated possession claim. The court may instruct your tenants cover your court fees and legal costs, stay in the property on the condition that rent arrears are paid, or issue a court order instructing them to simply vacate the property. 

Hopefully our guide has clarified how to evict a tenant for not paying rent. Every situation is different, but knowing what to expect can offer reassurance – and expert help is always available.  

Find out more

If you have any questions about your rental property in Queens Park, Neasden, Harlesden or Kensal Rise, Portland Estate Agents can help. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team.