Recovering Rent Arrears Through Money Claim Online (MCOL)

Evicting a tenant for rent arrears and recovering the money they owe are two separate legal processes. A Section 8 possession claim gets your property back. A money claim — filed through the Money Claim Online (MCOL) service — gets a court order for the debt.

Many landlords assume that winning a possession order automatically recovers the arrears. It does not. If you want a County Court Judgment (CCJ) for the outstanding rent, you need to pursue it separately — unless the court addresses the debt within the possession hearing itself.

This guide explains when and how to use MCOL to recover rent arrears from a current or former tenant. For the full process of handling arrears from first missed payment through to possession, see our step-by-step guide on what landlords can do about rent arrears.

Disclaimer: This guide is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.

When to Use Money Claim Online

MCOL is the right tool when:

• The tenant has left but still owes rent. The possession process is over, but the debt remains. MCOL lets you pursue a CCJ against the former tenant.
• You want to claim the debt alongside possession. You can run a money claim in parallel with a Section 8 claim. The possession claim deals with getting the property back; the money claim deals with the debt.
• The arrears are too small for mandatory Ground 8 but still significant. If the tenant owes less than three months' rent (the Ground 8 threshold since the Renters' Rights Act 2025), you may not qualify for the mandatory ground, but you can still claim the money owed through MCOL. The same applies if the arrears met the threshold when you served notice and then dipped below it — one of several ways a Ground 8 notice fails while the debt itself remains fully recoverable.
• The tenant has vacated voluntarily but left arrears behind.

MCOL is not appropriate when the dispute is about deposit deductions — those must go through the deposit scheme's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process.

Keep your rent records court-ready. LetSorted tracks every payment automatically — due dates, received dates, and running arrears — so your evidence is already assembled when you need it. Explore compliance tracking →

Step 1: Follow the Pre-Action Protocol

Before filing a claim, you must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Skipping this step can result in cost penalties from the court even if your claim succeeds.

Send a Letter Before Claim

The letter must include:

• The total amount owed, with a breakdown by month
• How the debt was calculated (reference your rent statement)
• Details of how the tenant can pay or propose a repayment plan
• A deadline of at least 30 days for the tenant to respond
• A statement that court proceedings will follow if the debt is not resolved

Send this by first class post and by email if you have the tenant's email address. Keep proof of postage.

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

A money claim for rent arrears requires clear documentary evidence. You will need:

• The tenancy agreement — proving the rent amount and payment obligations
• A complete rent statement — showing every payment due, every payment received, and the running balance
• Bank statements — corroborating the non-receipt of rent
• Correspondence — showing you chased the arrears and the tenant's response (or lack of response)
• The Letter Before Claim — with proof of postage

This is the same evidence your solicitor would need for a possession claim — see our guide on what solicitors need in a landlord evidence pack. If you have been tracking rent through your landlord software, the records should already be in order.

Step 3: File the Claim Online

Go to Money Claim Online (MCOL) and create your claim. You will need the tenant's full name and last known address, plus the amount claimed.

The court fee depends on the amount claimed, plus interest (HMCTS fee list EX50):

The claim form asks you to set out your "particulars of claim" — a brief summary of why the money is owed. Keep it factual: the tenancy dates, the agreed rent, the amounts unpaid, and the total claimed.

Step 4: What Happens Next

If the tenant does not respond within 14 days: You can request a default CCJ. This is the most common outcome — many tenants who have left owing rent do not engage with the court process.

If the tenant responds and disputes the claim: The case may be referred to mediation or listed for a hearing. You will need to present your evidence.

If the tenant admits the debt: The court can issue a CCJ immediately. The tenant may ask to pay in instalments.

Enforcing a CCJ

A CCJ is a court order confirming the debt, but it does not automatically put money in your account. If the tenant does not pay, you have several enforcement options:

• Attachment of earnings — the debt is deducted directly from the tenant's wages
• Warrant of control — bailiffs attend the tenant's address to collect payment or seize goods
• Charging order — a charge is placed on the tenant's property (if they own one), recoverable when the property is sold
• Third-party debt order — money is taken directly from the tenant's bank account

Each enforcement method has its own court fees and procedures. The right choice depends on the tenant's circumstances.

Running MCOL Alongside Section 8

You can file a money claim at the same time as pursuing possession through Section 8. However, consider whether it is necessary:

• If your Section 8 possession claim includes a claim for rent arrears (which it should for Grounds 8, 10, and 11), the court may deal with the debt as part of that hearing.
• A separate MCOL claim is most useful after the tenant has left, when the possession process is complete but the debt remains.
• If the arrears are substantial and you want a CCJ registered against the tenant's credit file as quickly as possible, filing the money claim in parallel can be worthwhile.

For the step-by-step eviction process, see our rent arrears eviction checklist.

Realistic Expectations

Recovery rates on tenant debts are low. A tenant who left because they could not afford the rent often has limited means to pay a judgment. A CCJ registered against their name affects their credit rating for six years, which provides some leverage — but it does not guarantee payment.

For many landlords, the best strategy is prevention: thorough tenant screening before the tenancy begins reduces the risk of arrears significantly. MCOL provides a formal mechanism to pursue the debt, but collecting on a judgment requires the tenant to have income or assets to enforce against.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim rent arrears through Money Claim Online while pursuing Section 8 possession?

Yes. A money claim for debt recovery and a Section 8 possession claim are separate legal proceedings. You can run both simultaneously. However, if your Section 8 possession claim already includes a claim for rent arrears, the court may address the debt as part of that hearing, making a separate MCOL claim unnecessary.

How much does it cost to use Money Claim Online for rent arrears?

Court fees depend on the amount claimed. The fee is £115 for a claim between £1,500 and £3,000, £205 between £3,000 and £5,000, and £455 between £5,000 and £10,000 (HMCTS fee list EX50). If the tenant does not respond, you can obtain a default CCJ relatively quickly and cheaply.

What is the Pre-Action Protocol for debt claims?

Before issuing a money claim, you must send a Letter Before Claim giving the tenant at least 30 days to respond. The letter must set out the amount owed, how it was calculated, and options for repayment. Failure to follow the protocol can result in cost penalties even if you win.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.