Rent Increases — When Your Landlord Can Raise the Rent and How to Challenge It

For assured shorthold tenants (ASTs) in England:

• ✓During a fixed term: your landlord can only increase the rent if the tenancy agreement allows it (a 'rent review clause'). Without one, rent is fixed until the end of the term.
• ✓After the fixed term (rolling periodic tenancy): your landlord must use a Section 13 notice to propose an increase. This gives at least 1 month's notice for a monthly tenancy (or 1 week for a weekly tenancy).
• ✓Rent can only be increased once per year under the Section 13 process
• ✓If you don't accept the increase, you can refer it to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for an independent determination
• ✓The tribunal can only set a 'market rent' — it won't set rent above what the landlord proposed

In Scotland, most private tenants have a Private Residential Tenancy (PRT). Rent increases are heavily regulated:

• ✓Landlord must give at least 3 months' notice of a rent increase
• ✓Rent can only be increased once per year
• ✓Tenants can refer a rent increase to Rent Service Scotland for an independent decision
• ✓Rent Service Scotland will determine whether the proposed rent is a market rent
• ✓In some areas, Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) cap rent increases — check with your local council

In Wales, the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 introduced the Occupation Contract, which replaced the AST:

• ✓Landlords must give at least 2 months' notice of a rent increase
• ✓Rent can only be increased once per year
• ✓Tenants can refer a disputed rent to the Rent Assessment Committee

If you rent from a council or housing association, different rules apply:

• ✓Rent increases are set by government formula — typically CPI inflation + 1% (currently subject to a cap)
• ✓You must receive at least 4 weeks' notice of any rent increase
• ✓You can challenge a rent increase you believe is unlawful by complaining to the Regulator of Social Housing or the Housing Ombudsman