Letter to 'make time of the essence': services by Citizens Advice
Updated 3 November 2025
The Citizens Advice template letter to make time of the essence helps consumers formally notify a trader that delays may lead to contract termination and recover payments for work not completed. It is part of Citizens Advice’s widely trusted library of open, lawyer-vetted letter templates.
Letter to make time of the essence services
[sender name]
[sender address line 1]
[sender address line 2]
[sender email]
[sender phone]
[recipient name]
[recipient address line 1]
[recipient address line 2]
[letter date]
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to you about the delay to the following work: [work description]
We made the agreement about this work on [agreement date]. We agreed that it would be finished on [agreed completion date].
As this work has not happened, I am therefore making time of the essence in this agreement. This means that if you do not finish the work within [number of days] days I will treat our agreement as at an end and find another trader to finish the work.
This also means that I will claim back from you the sum of [[amount paid in advance]], which is the amount that I have paid in advance for work not done.
Yours faithfully,
[sender name]
About this template
What is this template?
Letter to 'make time of the essence': services by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Consumer law template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Consumer law template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Consumer law usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.