Unpaid Invoices: Your UK Options 2026

Market Invoice is an independent UK invoice finance comparison site that ranks 87 UK invoice finance providers.

If a UK customer hasn't paid an invoice past its due date, you have five practical options: claim statutory late payment interest (Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998, currently 11.75% APR plus £40 to £100 fixed compensation), send a letter before action, file a statutory demand if the debt is over £750 (Insolvency Act 1986, s123), take the matter to small claims court for under £10,000, or sell the unpaid invoice to a spot factoring provider for immediate cash. The fastest cash recovery route is selective spot factoring, which advances 70 to 90 percent of the invoice value within 24 hours and takes over the chasing entirely.

What this page covers

This page covers

unpaid invoices UK: how to chase late payers, claim statutory interest, file statutory demands or small claims, and sell invoices for immediate cash

Not covered here

General invoice finance education (see /guides/), individual provider reviews (see /providers/), full pricing breakdown (see /guides/costs/)

UK providers worth knowing

ProviderFee fromMin turnoverWhy it fits
HydrVariableNo minSpot factoring for individual unpaid invoices, 24-hour cash
TriverFrom 0.06%/dayNo minAPI-driven instant decisions on unpaid invoices
Bibby Financial ServicesNot publishedNot publishedWhole-book factoring with credit control included
Skipton Business FinanceNot published£100kBad debt protection bundles for high-risk debtors

Detailed unpaid invoice pages

AP

Adam Parker

Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd

Adam is the founder and managing director of Muswell Rose and a founder of Best Business Loans Ltd, the company behind Market Invoice. He spent over three years as managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, and his career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library.

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Unpaid Invoices UK FAQ

What can I do if a UK customer won't pay my invoice?

You have five practical options: (1) charge statutory late payment interest at 11.75% APR plus £40-£100 fixed compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998; (2) send a letter before action giving 14 days to pay; (3) file a statutory demand if the debt is over £750; (4) take the matter to small claims court for under £10,000; (5) sell the invoice to a spot factoring provider for immediate cash (70-90% advance within 24 hours).

How long should I wait before chasing an unpaid invoice?

Send a polite payment reminder on the day after the due date. Send a firm reminder at 7 days overdue. Send a formal letter before action at 30 days overdue. Most B2B disputes settle at the letter-before-action stage. If 30 days have passed and you've had no engagement, the customer is unlikely to pay without legal pressure or you selling the debt.

Can I claim interest on a late paid invoice UK?

Yes. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 you can claim statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate (currently 3.75%, so 11.75% APR), plus a fixed compensation charge of £40 (debt under £1,000), £70 (£1,000 to £9,999.99) or £100 (£10,000 or more). You can claim this even after the invoice is eventually paid. No court order needed.

Should I sell an unpaid invoice or chase it?

Sell if you need cash within 7 days, the customer has the money to pay (just slowly), the invoice is over £5,000, and the customer relationship is worth preserving. Chase if you have time, the invoice is under £5,000, the customer may dispute the work, or you suspect insolvency. Spot factoring providers like Hydr and Triver pay 70-90% within 24 hours and chase the customer themselves.

What if my customer goes into administration?

Stop all credit immediately. Register as a creditor with the appointed administrator (their details are on Companies House). Submit your proof of debt with copies of invoices, contracts and statements. Unsecured creditors often recover only a small fraction of the debt, and payment can take a year or more. If you have trade credit insurance or sold the invoice to a non-recourse spot factoring provider before the administration filing, you may recover most or all of the value.

Is small claims court worth it for an unpaid invoice UK?

Yes for amounts £500-£10,000 where the customer has the money but is refusing to pay. Court fee is £35-£455 depending on debt size. You can submit online at moneyclaim.gov.uk. Most defendants settle once they receive court papers. If you win and they still don't pay, you can apply for an attachment of earnings order or a charging order on property (£139 each), or transfer to the High Court for a writ of control (£82 to seal the writ), per the GOV.UK civil court fees list (EX50).

A defended claim can take several months to reach judgment; an undefended one is much quicker.