Rent collection
Set Up Rent Chaser — Chasing on Autopilot
Chasing late rent is the part of being a landlord nobody enjoys. Rent Chaser does it for you: set a tier per tenancy and RentFig sends escalating reminders every morning — friendly to final — stopping the moment the rent is paid. Here’s how to switch it on.
Last updated: July 2026
The escalation ladder
Reminders get firmer on a fixed schedule — you set the tone once with the tier:
- Friendly Reminder — a gentle nudge as rent falls due/overdue.
- Firm Reminder — a clear follow-up if it’s still unpaid.
- Urgent Notice — firmer, stating the arrears total.
- Final Notice — the last step before you take action.
The steps
1. Choose a tier for each tenancy
Open Rent Chaser and set the tenancy's tier: None (off), Regular (gentle reminders), Chaser (escalates to urgent), or Critical (the full four-level sequence ending in a Final Notice). The tier controls how firmly RentFig chases — you decide the tone.
2. Pick your channels
Each reminder level can go out by email, SMS, or both. SMS lands with tenants who rarely open email; a Critical tier can use both channels in sequence.
3. Set the escalation thresholds
Decide how many months of arrears move a tenancy up to the Chaser and Critical tiers. The longer rent stays unpaid, the firmer the chasing becomes — automatically.
Note: The four escalation messages are Friendly Reminder → Firm Reminder → Urgent Notice → Final Notice. Regular stops after two, Chaser after three, Critical runs all four.
4. Pause when you need to
If you agree a payment plan or the tenant promises a date, set a pause-until date for that tenancy. Automated messages stop and resume on their own after the date — nothing to remember. Pause is per-tenancy, so your other tenancies keep chasing.
5. Let it run — and watch the log
The chaser runs every morning and sends whatever is due. It stops automatically the moment the balance reaches zero, and every message is recorded in a full chasing log showing who was chased, with what, and when.
Note: RentFig also flags a tenancy once arrears reach three months' rent — the Ground 8 threshold for a Section 8 Notice (raised from two months by the Renters' Rights Act 2025). When you're ready to act, the built-in Section 8 wizard (in Document Creator) produces the Form 3 notice with the right grounds and notice period. RentFig flags and helps you prepare the notice; serving it is your decision.
Frequently asked questions
How do I chase late rent automatically?
Set the tenancy's chasing tier in Rent Chaser (Regular, Chaser or Critical). RentFig then checks overdue rent every morning and sends escalating reminders — Friendly Reminder, Firm Reminder, Urgent Notice and Final Notice — on a fixed cadence, by email or SMS, until the rent is paid.
What are the chasing tiers?
None disables chasing. Regular sends gentle reminders (two levels). Chaser escalates to urgent messages (three levels). Critical runs the full four-level sequence including a Final Notice. You set the tier per tenancy, so you stay in control of the tone.
What should a rent arrears reminder say?
RentFig's reminders escalate in tone: the Friendly Reminder is a gentle nudge, the Firm Reminder is a clear follow-up, the Urgent Notice states the arrears total, and the Final Notice signals the last step before action. You don't have to write them — the templates are built in and personalised to the tenancy.
Can I chase by SMS as well as email?
Yes. Each reminder level can be sent by email, SMS, or both — critical tiers can use both channels in sequence.
Does chasing stop when the tenant pays?
Yes. When a tenancy's balance reaches zero the tier auto-clears, so no further reminders go out. You never chase someone who has already paid.
What triggers the Section 8 warning, and can RentFig produce the notice?
RentFig flags a tenancy once total arrears reach the Ground 8 threshold for a Section 8 Notice — three months' rent in England, raised from two months by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The flag is advisory. When you're ready to act, RentFig's Section 8 wizard (in Document Creator) generates the Form 3 notice with the correct grounds and notice period. RentFig prepares the notice; whether and when to serve it is your decision.
Disclaimer:This guide is general information, not legal advice. The Section 8 / Ground 8 arrears threshold and notice requirements change — always check current gov.uk guidance before serving any notice.