Why tutors get paid late
- Parents pay monthly in arrears and forget.
- Cancelled sessions cause disputes over what is owed.
How to get paid: advice for tutors
- Switch to paying in advance for each month or block. It solves almost all late payment.
- Your clients are consumers, so the Late Payment Act does not apply. You can only charge interest or late fees if your terms said so up front and they are fair.
- A friendly text often works better than email with parents.
A chasing timeline that works
- 3 days before due: a friendly heads-up.
- 1 day overdue: a polite reminder — a text often works well with private clients (write one).
- 7–14 days overdue: a firm reminder and a phone call.
- 30 days overdue: a final notice with a deadline.
- Still unpaid: a letter before action, then a small claim if needed.
Your legal options
Most of your clients are private individuals, so statutory late payment interest doesn't apply. You can only charge interest or late fees if your terms said so before they agreed, and the charges are fair. That makes deposits, upfront payment and short terms your best protection. If you do go to court, you can claim court interest and must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (30 days' notice).