Payment reminder email templates for overdue invoices

Four copy-ready emails for a late invoice, from a friendly day-one nudge to a final notice. Each one is generated by the same wording rules Chasebook uses, so the tone only escalates as you actually send more messages. Replace the names, the invoice number and the amounts.

The examples assume a GBP 1,000.00 invoice numbered INV-104 that was due on 1 September 2026, sent to a client called Sam by someone called Alex. The interest lines in the last two use a Bank of England base rate of 3.75%; check the current rate before you quote any figure.

Day 1 after the due date: friendly nudge

Subject: Invoice INV-104 (GBP 1,000.00)

Hi Sam,

A quick note that invoice INV-104 for GBP 1,000.00 was due on 1 September 2026 and I cannot see the payment yet. It may well have crossed with your payment or got stuck in an approvals queue. Could you let me know when I can expect it?

Thanks very much,
Alex

Day 7: firm reminder

Subject: Overdue invoice INV-104: GBP 1,000.00

Hi Sam,

Invoice INV-104 for GBP 1,000.00 is now 7 days past its due date (due 1 September 2026). I have not had a reply to my earlier note. Please arrange payment this week, or tell me today if there is a problem with the invoice so we can fix it.

Thank you,
Alex

Day 14: second notice

Subject: Second notice, invoice INV-104: GBP 1,000.00 overdue

Hi Sam,

This is a second notice. Invoice INV-104 for GBP 1,000.00 is 14 days past its due date. Please pay it, or give me a firm payment date in writing, within 7 days of this message. If something is holding it up, I would rather hear that and sort it out together.

If this is not paid, I may add statutory late payment interest and the fixed recovery sum under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Interest so far is GBP 4.51 (8% over the Bank of England base rate), plus GBP 70.00 in fixed costs.

Regards,
Alex

Day 30: final notice

Subject: Final notice, invoice INV-104: GBP 1,000.00

Hi Sam,

Invoice INV-104 for GBP 1,000.00 is 30 days past its due date, and I have not received payment or a payment date after repeated messages. Unless I receive payment or a written payment date within 7 days of this message, I will pause further work for you and consider the formal options that are open to me.

If this is not paid, I may add statutory late payment interest and the fixed recovery sum under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Interest so far is GBP 9.66 (8% over the Bank of England base rate), plus GBP 70.00 in fixed costs.

Regards,
Alex

How to use these without damaging the relationship

• Send to the person who pays. If the person who hired you does not approve payments, copy the accounts-payable contact.
• Only mention an earlier message if you sent one. The firm and later templates refer to an earlier note. Skip a stage and edit that sentence out, or the email will say something untrue.
• Put the call in between. At about two weeks, phone first and send the second notice afterwards, recording what was said and any date promised.
• Interest and fixed sums are for UK business-to-business debts. They do not apply to consumers, and a contract can set its own rate. See the free interest calculator to work out the figures for your invoice.

Keep track instead of rewriting

If you chase more than a couple of invoices, Chasebook shows which ones need a message today, fills these templates in for you, and keeps a log of every promise. The free plan covers 5 open invoices. For a schedule of when to send each one, read how to chase an unpaid invoice. This is general information, not legal advice.