Section 13 notice or rent increase
Since May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act has reshaped how landlords increase rent in England. Section 13 notices now sit at the heart of tenancy management, and getting the process right matters more than ever.
Landlords must now follow a single process with strict rules on timing, frequency, and evidence.
- The notice period has increased from one month to two, giving tenants more time to challenge the proposal.
- The new rent must begin on a valid rent date at least two months after the notice is served. Misjudging this date can delay the increase by several months.
- Landlords cannot increase the rent until 12 months have passed since the last increase.
- Landlords can only increase the rent in line with comparable local properties.
- The notice must be completed using the official Form 4; this includes details such as the current and proposed rent, payment frequency, relevant dates, and landlord and tenant information. Accuracy is essential, as even a small mistake will cause issues later.
Although the process is relatively straightforward, serving a Section 13 notice requires attention to detail. Accuracy is essential, and it is what the process experts do best.