What is a Section 13 notice for rent increases?

A Section 13 notice (now on Form 4A) is the only legal way your landlord can increase your rent. If they haven't used this form and process, any rent increase they're proposing is not valid.

The form sets out: the current rent, the new proposed rent, and the date the increase would take effect. Your landlord must give you at least two months' notice — so if the form arrives today, the earliest the new rent can start is two clear months from now.

Before 1 May 2026, some tenancy agreements had built-in "rent review clauses" that could trigger increases automatically. Those clauses are no longer enforceable. Every increase now must go through this Section 13 process, regardless of what the original contract says.

If you disagree with the amount, you can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for free, before the new rent date. The tribunal will compare your proposed rent against market rates for similar properties nearby.

When you receive a rent increase, check it's on Form 4A and that the notice date gives you at least two months. If it doesn't, write to your landlord and tell them the notice is invalid. If it does but the amount seems too high, go to GOV.UK and search "challenge rent increase" to start a tribunal application.