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Chase unpaid invoices without the awkwardness.
Late payment is one of the biggest drains on a UK small business — the average is tens of thousands owed at any time. The problem isn't usually knowing you should chase; it's finding the time, and doing it firmly without souring a good relationship. Here's how to do both.
The playbook
A calm, consistent cadence gets you paid
Most late payments are oversights, so start gentle and firm up in steps: a friendly nudge around the due date, a clearer reminder at about a week overdue, and a final notice before you consider next steps. State the invoice number, amount and due date every time, and make paying effortless with a link. Consistency beats intensity — a predictable schedule gets you paid faster than the occasional frustrated email.
Your rights
You can charge for late payment
On business-to-business invoices, UK law generally lets you add statutory interest (8% plus the Bank of England base rate) and a fixed recovery charge once payment is overdue. Flag the right to charge interest early, and keep a record of every reminder — a clear trail matters if it ever escalates. (General information, not legal advice.)
Where Oprativ helps
Reminders drafted and timed — you approve
Oprativ runs the chase for you: it watches which invoices are due, drafts each reminder in your voice at the right point in the cadence, and brings it to you to approve before it goes. You get every invoice chased on schedule without it eating your week — and because you approve each message, a firm reminder never lands wrong with a customer you value. It runs on your own machine, so your customer and finance data stays with you. Plans are £99–£349/mo.
Questions, answered.
How do I chase an overdue invoice politely in the UK?
Start friendly and assume it's an oversight: a short reminder with the invoice number, amount, due date and a payment link. If it's still unpaid, follow up on a clear cadence and let the tone firm up gradually. Keep every message factual and calm — most late payments are admin slip-ups, not refusals, and a polite nudge usually clears them.
When can I charge interest on a late invoice, and how much?
Under the UK's Late Payment of Commercial Debts rules, on business-to-business invoices you can usually charge statutory interest of 8% plus the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed recovery charge, once payment is overdue. Mention the right to charge interest before you apply it, and check the current base rate. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm your position for your specific contract.
How often should I send payment reminders?
A common, reasonable cadence: a gentle reminder around the due date, a firmer one at about 7 days overdue, and a final notice near 14–30 days before you consider next steps. What matters most is consistency — chasing on a predictable schedule gets you paid faster than sporadic, emotional follow-ups.
Can I automate invoice chasing without losing control of the wording?
Yes — that's exactly how Oprativ does it. It drafts each reminder in your voice and schedules it at the right point in the cadence, but nothing is sent until you approve it. You get the reliability of automation and keep full control of the tone, so a good customer never gets a tone-deaf message.
What should I do when a client keeps ignoring reminders?
Escalate in steps: a firm final notice that states the amount, the overdue period and your intended next step; then options like a formal letter before action, statutory interest, or a mediation/small-claims route for persistent non-payment. Keep a clear record of every reminder you sent — a consistent paper trail strengthens your position.