You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help. In Northern Ireland the applicable legislation is: the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Rent Book Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.

In Scotland the applicable legislation is the: Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, the Private Residential Tenancies (Statutory Terms) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and the Private Residential Tenancies (Prescribed Notices and Forms) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. In England and Wales, the applicable legislation will vary depending upon the type of tenancy agreement, but in most cases the Housing Act 1988 is likely to apply. In many circumstances tenants will have security of tenure which means that even if they fall into arrears, they cannot be evicted without a court order. Where a Tenant has signed a written tenancy agreement, the terms and conditions of this agreement should be upheld and followed where a Tenant defaults on any rent payments. The letter should be sent as soon as possible after any rent has fallen into arrears, giving the Tenant adequate notice of the potential for further legal action to be taken before commencing any action in court.

Where there is specification of how notices/letters should be delivered, simply post it to the tenant or tenants if there are more than one. Where there is a written tenancy agreement between the parties, this letter should be delivered to the Tenant by any method specified within that agreement. Upon completion of this document it should be signed by the Landlord or by a person authorised by the Landlord, such as a Letting Agent. The Tenant should be given reasonable time to make payment to the Landlord of the outstanding rent. This document should be filled in properly so that the details of the outstanding rent are accurately contained within the letter. The document provides a simple template that enables a person to set out the balance of the outstanding sum and the original due date of the outstanding sum. The document can reflect if the letter is a first demand for payment of rent or if the Tenant has already received similar letters. This document can be used by either a Landlord or a Letting Agent.

This document is a letter that can be used to notify tenants that they are in arrears of rent payment and requests that the outstanding balance be paid immediately or by a specific date.

Notice of default letter to tenant