Personal Debt Recovery
Recovery of personal debts such as loans, rent arrears and unpaid fees, handled proportionately and professionally with clear escalation when needed. We do not collect consumer credit debts.
Not every debt is between two businesses. Money lent to a friend or family member, rent owed by a former tenant, unpaid school, club or professional fees, or a sole trader who has not paid for work done: these are personal debts, and they can be recovered.
We handle personal debts with the extra care the law and common decency require. The debtor is treated fairly and proportionately, the process follows the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, and we never use pressure that would embarrass or intimidate.
We do not collect consumer credit debts such as credit cards, personal loans from lenders, or finance agreements. Those are regulated activities and we refer them elsewhere.
How it works
- 1
Establish the debt
A personal debt often rests on an informal agreement. We help you set out what was agreed, when, and what evidence exists: messages, bank transfers, emails, a written note.
- 2
Initial contact
We write to the debtor setting out the debt and inviting payment or a proposal. The tone is firm and factual.
- 3
Protocol letter
If there is no resolution, we send a letter of claim that complies with the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims, giving the debtor 30 days and the reply form the protocol requires.
- 4
Next steps
After 30 days you can issue a county court claim, which for debts up to 10,000 pounds would normally be allocated to the small claims track. We prepare the paperwork or hand over to your solicitor.
Who this is for
- Individuals owed money by another individual, including money lent to family or friends
- Private landlords with rent arrears or damage claims against former tenants
- Schools, clubs, tradespeople and professionals with unpaid fees from private clients
What we need from you
- Any written record of the agreement, including texts, emails or messages
- Bank statements showing money paid out or partial repayments
- The debtor’s full name and last known address
Common questions
There was no written contract. Can I still recover the money?
Often, yes. A verbal agreement is still a contract if the essentials can be shown, and messages, transfers and conduct are all evidence. Our article on debts with no written contract explains what helps.
Can I charge interest on a personal debt?
Not statutory interest under the Late Payment Act, which applies to business-to-business debts. A court can award interest on a judgment, and a contract may provide for interest, but we will not add charges that are not owed.
Will the debtor be treated fairly?
Yes. We follow the protocol, allow the time it requires, and take account of genuine hardship. Fair treatment is also what gets paid: a debtor who is given a realistic route to settle usually takes it.
Steadfast Collections is a debt recovery agency, not a law firm. The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. We do not collect consumer credit debts.
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