How it Works
Your Landlord Has Raised Your Rent Without Proper Notice — Here Is What to Do
Since the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, rent increases are strictly regulated. Your landlord must use a specific legal form, give you two months written notice, and can only increase rent once every 12 months. If they have not followed this exact process the increase may not be valid.
Your Rights
What Is Your Landlord Legally Required to Do With Your Rent Increase?
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Section 13 Notice Required
Your landlord must use the official Section 13 Notice (Form 4) to propose any rent increase. An informal letter, text message, or verbal notice is not legally valid.
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Two Months Written Notice
A minimum of two months written notice must be given before any increase takes effect. The notice period starts from the date you receive the notice, not when it was sent.
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Once Per Year Maximum
Rent can only be increased once in any 12-month period. If your rent was already increased in the last year, any new increase is not permitted regardless of notice given.
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Market Rate Justification
The proposed increase must be in line with open market rents for similar properties in your area. A landlord cannot simply decide on an arbitrary figure.
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No Automatic Clauses
Rent review clauses in old tenancy agreements no longer apply. All increases must go through the Section 13 Notice process regardless of what your agreement says.
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Free Tribunal Challenge
You have the absolute right to challenge any rent increase at the First-tier Tribunal free of charge. The Tribunal cannot set rent higher than what your landlord originally proposed.
Common Situations
Situations Renters Face — And What to Do
These are the most common repair scenarios our members experience. Find your situation and follow the recommended steps.
Landlord verbally told you rent is going up
Your landlord called or messaged to say your rent is increasing from next month. No formal notice has been received and no official form was used.
→ A verbal rent increase is not legally valid. Write to your landlord confirming you have not received a valid Section 13 Notice and that you will continue paying your current rent until proper notice is served.
Landlord sent an informal letter without the correct form
Your landlord sent you a letter saying rent is going up but did not use the official Section 13 Notice form and did not give two months notice.
→An informal letter is not sufficient. Write formally stating that a valid Section 13 Notice has not been received and request they restart the process correctly.
Rent increased twice in one year
Your landlord raised your rent earlier this year and is now proposing another increase less than 12 months later citing rising costs or mortgage rates.
→ Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, rent can only be increased once in any 12-month period. Write formally rejecting the second increase and citing the Act. This is a clear legal breach.
Increase is significantly above market rate
Your landlord has served a valid Section 13 Notice but the proposed increase is far above what similar properties in your area rent for — sometimes 20 to 40 percent above market rate.
→ Challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal. This is completely free. The Tribunal will assess comparable local rents. If your evidence is strong they will reduce the increase.
Landlord is pressuring you to agree to avoid tribunal
Your landlord is calling or messaging repeatedly pushing you to accept the increase and suggesting a tribunal will be stressful, slow, or bad for your relationship.
→ You have an absolute legal right to challenge at the Tribunal. Pressure tactics are not a valid reason to accept an unfair increase. The process is straightforward and you do not need a solicitor.
Increase written into old tenancy agreement
Your tenancy agreement contains a clause that says rent increases by a fixed percentage or amount each year automatically without any formal process.
→ Since the Renters' Rights Act 2025, automatic rent review clauses no longer apply. All increases must go through the Section 13 Notice process. You do not have to accept an automatic clause-based increase.
What Changed Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025?
Before the Act
Before May 2026
Landlords could use rent review clauses in fixed-term agreements, increase rent at the end of fixed terms, and had more flexibility in how they served notice. Tenants had fewer formal protections.
✓ No Longer Applies
After the Act
From 1 May 2026
All increases must use Section 13 Notice. Increases limited to once per year. Two months minimum notice. Market rate must be justifiable. Tribunal challenge is free and the Tribunal cannot increase above what was proposed.
✓ In Force
Your Tribunal Right
The First-tier Tribunal
You can apply to challenge any rent increase completely free. The Tribunal will assess local comparable rents. If they agree the increase is above market rate they will reduce it. They cannot increase it further.
✓ Available Now
Retaliatory Action
Protected from Retaliation
If your landlord takes action against you for challenging a rent increase — such as issuing an eviction notice — this is retaliatory action and is unlawful under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
✓ In Force
How We Help
Support for Tenants Facing an Unfair Rent Increase
Renters Rights Act Services gives you the letters and tribunal support to challenge a rent increase served without proper notice — without paying solicitor fees. If the increase followed a request you made, read our guidance on [landlords who won’t carry out repairs]
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Rent Increase Challenge Letter
Members Only
Rent
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Challenge a Rent Increase at the FTT
Members Only
Rent
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Situation Review
Members Only
Review
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Call Support
Members Only
Support
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord increase rent whenever they want?
What is a Section 13 Notice?
What if I just ignore the rent increase?
Is the First-tier Tribunal free?
Can the Tribunal increase my rent above what my landlord proposed?
What if my landlord retaliates after I challenge the rent increase?
Does the rent review clause in my old tenancy agreement still apply?
How do I find comparable rents for the Tribunal?
Search Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket for similar properties in your area. Note size, condition, location, and features. Screenshot everything and save it as your evidence bundle.
Increase Rent without notice is illegal. Challenge it Today
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