My tenant owes me rent: what can I do?
When a tenant leaves owing rent or damage costs, you have six years to claim. The route is a county court money claim – but a judgment is only worth what the tenant can pay, so check that first.
Information, not legal advice. We don't bring claims or collect debts. If we introduce you to a solicitor, tracing agent or enforcement firm we may receive a referral fee and will tell you first (how we make money).
Tenant moved out and owes rent: the steps
- Use the deposit. Propose deductions through the deposit scheme's process; a dispute goes to the scheme's free adjudication.
- Work out the exact sum with a rent statement and damage evidence (check-in and check-out inventories, invoices).
- Find a current address for the tenant (and guarantor, if any).
- Send a letter before claim giving a clear deadline.
- Claim online – Money Claim Online. Issue fees start at £35.
- Enforce if they don't pay – how to enforce a CCJ.
Tenant owes rent: how much will it cost to claim?
| Amount claimed | Issue fee |
|---|---|
| up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01-£500 | £50 |
| £500.01-£1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01-£1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01-£3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01-£5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01-£10,000 | £455 |
| £10,000.01-£200,000 (5% of claim) | 5% of the claim |
Enforcement fees are extra: for example £96 for a county court warrant of control, £139 for an attachment of earnings order and £139 for a charging order (EX50, from 13 July 2026).
Getting a judgment is not the same as getting paid
default judgments in money claims, 2025 (England and Wales, all creditors)
warrants of control issued (bailiffs to collect)
attachment of earnings orders made
MoJ Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly. Figures cover all money claims, not only landlords.
Before you spend on enforcement, ask: does the former tenant have a job, a bank account with money in it, or property? If not, a judgment mainly serves as a record on the register.
Tenant still in the property?
If the tenant hasn't left, ask for a money judgment for the arrears as part of the possession claim rather than bringing a separate claim. See tenant not paying rent.
Common questions
My tenant owes me rent – what can I do?
If they are still in the property, see tenant not paying rent. If they have left: use the deposit through the scheme, send a letter before claim, then make a county court money claim and, if they still don’t pay, enforce the judgment.
How far back can rent arrears be claimed?
Six years from the date each rent payment fell due (Limitation Act 1980, s19). Older instalments drop out one by one.
Is it worth getting a CCJ against a former tenant?
It costs relatively little to get (issue fees from £35) and stays on the Register of Judgments for 6 years unless paid within a month, which affects the tenant’s credit. Whether you actually get paid depends on their income and assets.
Can I claim from the guarantor?
If there was a valid written guarantee, usually yes – the guarantor can be named in the claim. Check the guarantee’s wording and whether it still covered the tenancy that was running.
What if I don’t know where the tenant lives now?
You need an address to serve the claim. Landlords often use a tracing agent. We may introduce you to one and may receive a referral fee; we’ll tell you first.
Related guides
Fees and process.Enforce a CCJ →
Methods and fees.Small claims court →
Waiting times by court.Deposit rules →
Using the deposit properly.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Make a court claim for money
- GOV.UK: Court claim for money – court fees
- GOV.UK: Enforce a judgment
- GOV.UK: County court judgments and your credit rating
- legislation.gov.uk: Limitation Act 1980, section 19 (rent arrears)
- GOV.UK: Civil court fees (EX50), updated 13 July 2026
- MoJ: Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly, April to June 2026
- GOV.UK: Tenancy deposit protection
Last checked 28 Sep 2026. Figures and fees change; check the official source before you act.