Rent Increase: Is It Allowed? (England)

Rent increases are limited to once a year via a section 13 notice with at least 2 months' notice, and rental bidding is banned (in force from 1 May 2026). source

Citizens Advice says your landlord has to give you a section 13 notice to increase your rent, and you can challenge it if the notice is not valid or the increase is unreasonable. If you cannot agree, you can ask a tribunal to decide. You need to send your application before the increase is due to start; the fee is £47, and GOV.UK explains help with fees. source

Citizens Advice says the tribunal looks at the cost of renting similar properties in your area and what your landlord could charge a new tenant. If it finds the increase unfair, your rent will not go up. For notices given on or after 1 May 2026, if the decision comes after the date on the notice, you pay any new rent from your next rent date. source

Section 21 no-fault eviction has been abolished in England from 1 May 2026 (Renters' Rights Act 2025); landlords must use section 8 with a valid ground, and most existing assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies. source

Tenant Fees Act 2019 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act): deposits capped at 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is 50,000 pounds or more); holding deposit capped at 1 week's rent; most other fees are banned; landlords cannot require rent before the tenancy agreement is signed and cannot ask for more than 1 month's rent in advance. source