Official UK letters, explained in plain English

Pick the kind of letter you've received to see what it means, how urgent it usually is, and what to do next — or upload your own letter for a free instant overview.

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HMRC & Tax Letters

Most HMRC letters are routine — a tax calculation, a new tax code, or a request for information — and only a minority ask you to pay a penalty or r...

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Council Tax Letters

Council tax letters follow a set escalation: an annual bill, then a reminder if you miss a payment, then a final notice, then a court summons and a...

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Court & Legal Notices

Most court letters about money are county court claim forms, and you normally have 14 days to respond before the court can decide the case without ...

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Debt & Bailiff Letters

A debt collection letter and a bailiff (enforcement agent) letter are not the same thing: a debt collector has no special legal powers, while an en...

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DWP & Benefits Letters

If a DWP letter changes, stops, or refuses a benefit and you disagree, the key fact is the deadline: you normally have one month from the date on t...

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NHS & Medical Letters

Most NHS letters are administrative — an appointment, a referral, or a reminder — and say clearly if you need to reply or attend. The ones worth re...

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Bank & Finance Letters

A bank or finance letter matters most when it uses the words 'default notice' or 'arrears', because those start a formal process that can affect yo...

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Planning & Housing Letters

Planning and housing letters split into two very different types: planning letters (about what can be built or changed) and tenancy or eviction let...

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