Debt recovery guides & tools
Everything you need to have a proper go yourself — free templates, tracing, checks, and honest advice on when to bring in the professionals.
Letter templates
Two ready-to-send letters that get replies.
Tracing your debtor
Find someone who's gone quiet — for free.
CCJ & insolvency checks
See if they're already in trouble.
Asset checks
Balance your risk before going legal.
Legal & insolvency action
When letters aren't enough.
Which route to take
Solicitor v collector v no-win-no-fee.
Debt recovery letter templates
Customisable letters that help you chase a debt without expensive legal representation. Court action should always be a last resort.
Polite 7-day reminder
A friendly first approach that keeps the relationship intact while signalling you're ready to escalate. Perfect for the debtor who's simply forgotten or is hoping you will.
- Keeps things cordial — no threats
- Sets a clear 7-day deadline
- Best used before any collector or solicitor gets involved
7-day warning of recovery action
Firmer and more formal. It moves past the friendly reminder and puts the debtor on notice that collection action is coming if they stay silent.
- Formally warns of imminent action
- Sets up the next steps: tracing, credit checks, asset checks
- Documents your reasonable attempts to resolve things
Just so we're clear: I'm not a solicitor, and this isn't free legal advice — it's practical help from experience. Drop your own details into the letters and, for debts over £10,000, think hard before handing them to a solicitor who'll rack up fees.
Tracing your debtor
Tracing debtors isn't always easy. People move. People lie. People die. But before you pay anyone to find someone, there's a surprising amount you can do yourself for nothing.
Start with the free stuff
- Search engines & social media — Google the name with a location or job title; check LinkedIn, Facebook and the like.
- Public records & free databases — often more useful than people realise.
- Genealogy sites & obituaries — genuinely handy for tracking down relatives or confirming a death.
A word of caution: online information is often out of date, and searching a common name is far harder than an unusual one.
The best free resources
| Source | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Companies House | Directors' home addresses |
| Insolvency Register | Bankruptcy records — often revealing an address |
| Current employment | |
| Land Registry | Confirms property ownership |
When to pay a professional
For a significant debt, a professional tracing service is worth it — expect around £30–£50 plus VAT. Be wary of "no trace, no fee" arrangements; they sound better in theory than they work in practice.
Honest truth: DIY tracing is possible, but your time has value. For small sums the effort can outweigh the saving. Not sure which side of the line you're on? Give me a call on 0161 399 0170 and we'll weigh it up.
CCJ & insolvency checks
Before you spend a penny chasing someone, find out whether they're already buried under County Court Judgments or heading into insolvency. It's one of the quickest ways to avoid throwing good money after bad.
What to look for
- Existing CCJs — a stack of judgments tells you others are already at the front of the queue.
- Insolvency & bankruptcy — check the Insolvency Register; if they're insolvent, your options change completely.
- Company status — for business debtors, check Companies House for dissolutions, strike-off notices and filing history.
A debtor with several recent CCJs is waving a red flag. It doesn't always mean you should give up — but it should shape how much time and money you're willing to risk.
Found something worrying? That's good news, not bad — you've just saved yourself a wasted chase. Tell me what you've found and I'll help you read it.
Asset checks (pre-sue reports)
An asset check — also known as a pre-sue report — is one of the most effective ways of balancing your risk before you commit to legal action. It tells you whether there's actually anything worth chasing.
There's little point winning a judgment against someone with no money, no property and no assets. A pre-sue report helps you avoid exactly that.
Typically £100–£1,000 · usually around £300
- Confirms property ownership and likely equity
- Flags other debts and judgments against them
- Helps you decide: pursue, settle, or walk away
Legal & insolvency action
When letters, tracing and a bit of persistence haven't worked, legal action is the next lever — but it's the point where costs and risk really climb, so go in with your eyes open.
The court route
You can pursue a County Court Judgment (CCJ) yourself through the online money claim service for many debts. Winning is one thing; enforcing the judgment is another. A CCJ with no means of enforcement is just an expensive piece of paper.
Enforcement options
- Warrant / writ of control — bailiffs or High Court enforcement officers.
- Attachment of earnings — deductions straight from wages.
- Charging order — securing the debt against their property.
- Third-party debt order — freezing funds held elsewhere, such as a bank account.
Insolvency as leverage
For larger debts, the threat of insolvency proceedings (a statutory demand, bankruptcy or winding-up petition) can be powerful — but it's a serious step with strict rules and real costs. It's not a bluff to make lightly.
This is exactly the stage where a quick conversation saves money. Before you file anything, talk it through — sometimes the smart move is a final letter, not a court fee.
Solicitor v debt collector v no-win-no-fee
Three routes, three very different cost profiles. Here's the honest comparison so you pick the one that actually leaves money in your pocket.
| Route | Upfront cost | Typical charge | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-win-no-fee | None | Commission up to 50% | Business debts where interest & fees can offset commission |
| Fee-charging collector | Yes | Fee + commission | Straightforward debts with a fair, transparent fee |
| Solicitor | Yes | Hourly + disbursements | Complex or high-value disputes needing legal weight |
Solicitors are usually upfront about charges but tend to steer toward court, which increases their hours. Commission-only deals feel painless because there's nothing to pay today — but that commission can swallow half your money. A collector with a fair, transparent fee is very often the sweet spot.
My rule of thumb: exhaust the free options first, then pick the route based on the size and type of debt — not on whichever advert shouted "free" the loudest.
Stuck on which guide applies to you?
Tell me the situation and I'll point you straight to the right step — no charge, no sales pitch.