How often can rent be raised (UK)
In England from 1 May 2026, official landlord guidance for assured periodic tenancies states rent can be increased only once a year, and not in the first year of the tenancy, via the section 13 Form 4A process with at least 2 months' notice.
What this check covers
In England, private renting rules for rent increases changed under the Renters' Rights Act. From 1 May 2026, private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies, and rent increases for those tenancies follow a single statutory route rather than relying on old fixed-term / rent-review-clause patterns.
This page is about whether a landlord may propose a higher rent, what notice form is used, and how a tenant may ask the First-tier Tribunal to decide an open-market rent. It is informational only.
Key legal requirements
- Landlords increase rent through the section 13 process using the landlord notice proposing a new rent (Form 4A on GOV.UK), not through informal demands alone.
- Official landlord guidance states rent can be increased only once a year, and not in the first year of the tenancy.
- Tenants must be given at least 2 months' notice before the proposed new rent starts.
- If a tenant thinks the proposed rent is above open-market rent, they can apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the proposed start date.
- GOV.UK guidance also explains transitional points for notices given before 1 May 2026 (older Form 4 wording may still run to its stated dates, while the once-a-year spacing still matters).
Official sources include the GOV.UK assured-tenancy rent-increases guide, open-market rent determination guidance, and the Renters’ Rights Act guide.
Why this matters
This page is informational and should be checked against current GOV.UK guidance.
Next step with VetroCheck
Use the Rent Increase Notice Check agent if you want a structured review of a Section 13 rent-increase notice, the stated notice period, and whether a First-tier Tribunal challenge path appears to be in play. This is an information-only document check, not formal legal advice.
Related reading
Compliance note
This glossary content is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute formal legal advice, does not create a solicitor-client relationship, and should be checked against current legislation, official guidance, and the facts of the specific case.
At a glance
- Definition
- In England from 1 May 2026, official landlord guidance for assured periodic tenancies states rent can be increased only once a year, and not in the first year of the tenancy, via the section 13 Form 4A process with at least 2 months' notice.
- Term
- How often can rent be raised (UK)
- Category
- Public Law
- Published
- Keywords
- UK, Public Law, public