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Raising the rent: Section 13 and Form 4A

Once a year, two months' notice, on the government form. The earliest date comes from your tenancy, not the calendar.

notice, at least
2 months
between rises, sometimes 53
52 weeks
the only valid notice
Form 4A
if any rule is broken
Void

Try it with your dates

How it works

  • Since 1 May 2026 rent rises only by a section 13 notice on the government form, Form 4A.

  • The new rent starts no sooner than 52 weeks after the tenancy began, and 52 weeks after the last rise.

  • The tenant can ask the tribunal for a market rent before the start date, never above what you proposed.

Your dates, on a line

Example: Tenancy began Sunday 1 March 2026, no rise yet.

Tenancy began1 Mar 2026Serve Form 4A from28 Dec 2026New rent can start28 Feb 2027
  1. Tenancy began
  2. Earliest day to serve a rent increase notice (Form 4A)
  3. Earliest day a new rent can start
Small ticks are the earlier reminders we send before each date.

Do

  • Serve on the rent day two months before the anniversary, so the rise lands on a rent period.
  • Record each rise once it takes effect; next year's dates follow from it.
  • Use Form 4A for anything dated on or after 1 May 2026.

Do not

  • Rely on a review clause or a text message: they do not count.
  • Serve early to be safe: a notice inside the 52 weeks is invalid, not early.
  • Take more than one month's rent in advance, or run bidding above the advertised rent. The same Act bans both.