Rent arrears
Recover rent arrears
Whether it's a commercial tenant behind on rent or a former residential tenant who left owing money, rent arrears have their own legal routes — and agencies that specialise in them. The right recovery route depends on whether the tenancy is ongoing, the tenant's circumstances, and how much is owed.
Compare agencies for this →Sound familiar?
- A current tenant is months behind and the arrears keep growing
- A former tenant left owing rent and you have no forwarding address
- The deposit doesn't come close to covering what's owed
- You're unsure what you're allowed to do without breaching tenancy rules
What the right agency does differently
Tracing former tenants
Specialist agencies use tracing tools to locate former tenants who've moved on without a forwarding address — usually the first step before any recovery can start.
Commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR)
For commercial tenancies, CRAR lets certified enforcement agents take control of a tenant's goods for unpaid principal rent, following the statutory notice process.
Structured recovery from former tenants
For residential arrears, agencies combine demands, affordability-based repayment plans and, where justified, county court claims and enforcement of judgments.
Common questions
Can I use a debt collection agency while the tenant still lives in the property?
Yes, for the arrears themselves — but recovery has to respect tenancy law, and eviction is a separate legal process. Many landlords instruct an agency for the debt and a solicitor for possession in parallel.
The tenant has left and I don't know where they are. Is it hopeless?
No — tracing is routine for specialist agencies, and many offer no-trace-no-fee terms. Once located, recovery proceeds as with any consumer debt.
What about the deposit?
The deposit is offset first through the deposit protection scheme. An agency chases the shortfall — the arrears and damages beyond what the deposit covered.
Compare agencies that take rent arrears
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