Three short emails for an overdue invoice: a polite first reminder, a firmer one a week later, and a final notice. Copy one, fill in the parts in square brackets, and send it from your own inbox.
A polite first reminder
Send it the day after the due date. Most late payers have simply missed the invoice.
Subject: Invoice [number]: a quick reminder
Hi [name],
I hope you are well. This is a quick reminder that invoice [number] for £[amount] was due on [due date].
If you have already paid, thank you, and please ignore this email. If not, you can pay by [how to pay]. I have attached a copy of the invoice.
If anything on the invoice looks wrong, just reply and we will sort it out.
Thanks,
[your name]
[business name]
A firmer reminder a week later
Send it about seven days after the first. Ask for a date, so the next step is clear.
Subject: Invoice [number] is now 7 days overdue
Hi [name],
Invoice [number] for £[amount] was due on [due date]. It is now 7 days overdue, and I have not had a reply to my first reminder.
Please pay by [date, such as 5 working days from today], or reply to tell me when you will pay. If there is a problem with the invoice, tell me what it is and I will look at it straight away.
You can pay by [how to pay]. I have attached a copy of the invoice.
Thanks,
[your name]
[business name]
A final notice that names the interest
Send it when reminders have not worked. Only state what you will really do.
Subject: Final notice: invoice [number], £[amount]
Hi [name],
Invoice [number] for £[amount] was due on [due date]. It is now [number] days overdue. We have not received payment, and you have not told us of any problem with it.
Please pay the full amount by [date, at least 7 days from today].
If we do not receive payment by then, we will claim statutory interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Interest runs at 8% a year above the Bank of England base rate, from the day after [due date] until the day you pay. We will also claim a fixed sum of £[40, 70 or 100] for the cost of recovering the debt.
If you have already paid, please send me the date you paid so I can check it. If you dispute the invoice, please reply today so we can sort it out.
[your name]
[business name]
The final notice is for a debt from another business. The fixed sum is £40 up to £999.99, £70 from £1,000 to £9,999.99 and £100 from £10,000. Interest is 8% a year plus the base rate. Source: GOV.UKWork out the interest. Templates checked on 8 October 2026. They are a guide, not legal advice.
Let Xevrion draft these for you.
Invoice follow-up checks each balance first and drafts the right reminder by your rules. Nothing is sent without your approval. Free for 14 days.