Rule changes from domain registry's have meant that on the anniversary of the domain renewal, the registry cuts off the domain pending payment for the next year. Your host will give you prior notice to the renewal and will probably try to call and email you personally for each one. If you find the domain has lapsed, simply logging into your secure control panel system (if you have one) and paying for the domain on your card, will instantly renew the domain and continue with your website and email access. For domains ending in uk, like .co.uk etc, there is a small grace period after the date ...
A client of mine unfortunately fell fowl of the domain name renewals scam today - but because we look after our clients we were merely informed and not caught out. I now feel obliged to inform ANYONE about these scams... this is the deal! Because of the requirements of law, your name and address usually is searchable for the legal owner of the domain name, and as such various companies use this information to send you a renewal invoice when they have no control or administration of your domain. This could be in the form of a letter or email, so please ...