Free tools that help you chase payments, calculate late fees and follow-up with confidence.
Keep it simple and clear. You need: your business details, your client’s info, a clear breakdown of the services rendered, the total amount due, and your payment terms (like 'Payment due within 30 days') – and of course your bank details!
Yes! In the UK if you are freelancing for another business, you’re automatically protected by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Even if your contract is silent on late fees, the law says you have a statutory right to charge interest (8% plus the Bank of England base rate) and a fixed compensation fee. Try our late payment interest calculator to see what you’re owed.
Ideally yes. Adding 'Payment due within 30 days' at the bottom removes the client's ability to act dumb later.
Put them on your invoice, but more importantly, talk about them before you open Figma (Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, Capture One — you get the drift). Mention them in your initial proposal, contract or kickoff email. Under UK law, late fees are much easier to enforce if the client explicitly agreed to the payment terms before the work actually started.
It shouldn’t if handled professionally. It establishes you as a business, not a hobbyist. Most clients pay pretty swiftly once they see a late fee breakdown because it makes the penalty objective and legally backed, rather than personal. Keep the tone firm but professional.
If they pay the original invoice amount but refuse the late fee, you are still legally entitled to that fee. You can choose to waive it as a gesture of goodwill if they pay quickly, or keep it on their account as an outstanding balance to be paid before you start any future work.
It’s a fixed compensation fee that UK law allows you to charge to cover the administrative costs of chasing a late invoice. The amount depends on the size of the debt: £40 for debts under £1,000 – £70 for debts up to £9,999.99 – and £100 for debts £10,000 or more.