Getting paid
How to chase a late invoice without the awkwardness
Updated 21 September 2026 · 5 min read
Chasing money you are owed is the part of self-employment almost nobody enjoys, so it gets put off, and the longer it is left the more awkward it feels. The fix is to make it a calm, standard process rather than a difficult conversation. Set the ground rules upfront, then follow a simple sequence, and most late invoices get paid without any friction at all.
Prevent it before it starts
The best chase is the one you never have to send. Agree payment terms before the work, put them on the invoice, and take payment as close to the point of service as you can. A deposit upfront, or payment on the day, removes most of the risk before it exists. Clear terms also give you something to point to later without it feeling personal.
The polite chase sequence
Most late payers are disorganised, not dishonest, so start friendly and escalate slowly. A short, warm nudge on the due date, a firmer reminder a week later, and a clear final notice after that will clear the large majority. Keep each one brief and factual.
- On the due date: "Just a friendly reminder that invoice 123 is due today. Here is the link to pay."
- A week later: "Invoice 123 is now a week overdue. Could you let me know when I can expect payment?"
- Final notice: "Invoice 123 is now [x] weeks overdue. Please arrange payment by [date], after which I may add statutory late-payment charges."
When to escalate, and your legal backstop
If a business customer still has not paid, UK law is on your side: the Late Payment of Commercial Debts rules give you a right to charge statutory interest plus a fixed sum on overdue business-to-business invoices. For a private customer, a formal letter before action and, as a last resort, the Money Claim Online service are the routes. You will rarely need either, but knowing they exist changes how you chase.
The short version
- The best chase is prevented: terms upfront, deposits, pay near the time
- Start friendly and escalate slowly over three short messages
- For business customers you have a statutory right to interest and a fixed charge
- Keep every message brief, factual and unemotional
Soopaspace shows you what is owed and drafts a warm, professional chase for you to send, so the awkward part is already written.
See how Soopaspace chases late paymentsCommon questions
- Can I charge interest on a late invoice?
- For business-to-business invoices in the UK you have a statutory right to charge interest and a fixed recovery sum on late payment. For a private consumer, you can only charge interest if your terms clearly said so and the charge is fair. Check the current rules on gov.uk for the exact rates.
- How long should I wait before chasing?
- Do not wait. A friendly reminder on the due date itself is normal and expected, and it often catches an invoice that was simply missed before it becomes genuinely overdue.
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