With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force on 1 May 2026, informal rent adjustments are no longer permissible. Landlords are now required to adhere to formalised procedures, ensure any increase aligns with prevailing market rates, and provide extended notice periods in order to remain fully compliant with the law.
With the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force from 1 May 2026, rent increases are about to get far more regulated.
The Act introduces clearer rules designed to protect tenants from unfair or excessive rises.
Rent increases are now a more formal legal process governed by strict rules.
For landlords, this means rent reviews must be approached carefully and formally. But with the correct procedures and market evidence, you can adjust rents confidently while staying within the law.
How often can I increase rent under the Renters’ Rights Act?
In most cases, rent can only be increased once per year. And there can be no increase within the first 52 weeks (1 year) of a new tenancy.
This removes the flexibility you might have previously relied on and reinforces the need to set realistic rents from the outset.
Contractual rent review clauses written into tenancy agreements will be abolished and rendered void under the new Act.
Attempting to increase rent more frequently, or without following the correct statutory process, could result in disputes or legal challenges.
Kristjan Byfield, Mission Commander at The Depository, issues a word of advice for landlords planning a rent increase:
“How your tenants are cared for during their tenancy will likely dictate how your rent review process will go. Make sure you have tenants that genuinely love living in your homes – and be fair when reviewing the rent.
“Tenants are about to decide when they leave and what a rent review process looks like, so give them every reason to stay.”
Let’s get into the rules about increasing rent under the Renters’ Rights Act.
When do I need to use a Section 13 notice?
Informal agreements, such as verbal conversations or casual emails, are no longer sufficient.
As all tenancies will convert to periodic (rolling) tenancies, you must always use the prescribed legal mechanism: a Section 13 notice.
This is a formal statutory document that clearly sets out the proposed new rent and the exact date it will take effect.
Finally, you should keep detailed records of all rent reviews, communications and any Section 13 notices you have served. This not only supports compliance but also provides protection in the event of a dispute.
How much can I increase rent under the Renters’ Rights Act?
You can increase rent up to the current fair market rate. That means you should go by what the property would fetch if it were newly advertised to let today.
Before proposing an increase, research local market rents and be prepared to justify your decision.
Letting agents can provide useful benchmarks, helping ensure your figures are realistic and defensible.
Under the new system, tenants have stronger rights to dispute rent increases they believe exceed market value.
These challenges may be referred to a First-tier Tribunal, which will assess whether the proposed rent aligns with comparable properties in the area.
Crucially, the Tribunal can no longer set the rent higher than what the landlord initially proposed, meaning tenants effectively have ‘nothing to lose’ by challenging a hike.
The Tribunal will also no longer backdate increases, and the new rent will only apply from the date of the Tribunal’s decision.
When you’re thinking about increasing rent, it’s worth considering tenant relationships. While the law may allow for an increase, large or sudden jumps can lead to dissatisfaction, increased turnover and void periods.
That means a measured, market-aligned approach will be more sustainable in the long term.
How much notice must I give before increasing rent?
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, the mandatory notice period for a Section 13 rent increase has been extended. You must provide your tenant with 2 months’ written notice before the new rental amount comes into effect.
This notice period gives tenants more time to review the increase and, if necessary, challenge it.
How can a letting agent help with increasing rent?
Navigating the new legal landscape of the Renters’ Rights Act can feel daunting. Rent reviews are now a strictly regulated legal procedure, so leaning on a professional letting agent can help protect your investment.
A good agent takes the guesswork out of the process by providing accurate, evidence-based market valuations. Since the new rules cap rent hikes at the current market rate, an agent’s access to hyper-local data ensures your proposed increase is fair, defensible and less likely to be challenged at a tribunal.
If a tenant does dispute the increase, your agent will be invaluable in compiling the necessary portfolio of comparable properties to justify the new rent. This handles any pushback objectively, preserving your relationship with the tenant and turning a potential legal minefield into a smooth, fully documented process.
Kristjan’s top tip for those already using a letting agent? Take this chance to get your tenants’ perspective.
“If you have a managing agent, now might be a good time to reach out to your tenants directly to see what their rental experience is like. There’s nothing like hearing things first hand and the Act means that great rental experiences will be even more vital in shaping top-performing property portfolios.”
Key takeaways
- From 1 May 2026, rent cannot be increased within the first year of a tenancy, and only once a year after that, using a Section 13 notice.
- Proposed increases cannot exceed the current fair market rate.
- Tenants now have stronger, risk-free rights to challenge hikes at a tribunal.
- You must give tenants a full 2 months’ written notice before an increase takes effect.
- Documentation, market research and professional support can help you adjust rents while staying within the law.