Renting · 6 min read

Is My Rent Increase Legal? Section 13 & the Renters' Rights Act (2026)

What a valid rent increase looks like since May 2026, how to spot an invalid one, and exactly how to challenge it — for free.

Last reviewed 31 July 2026

Key takeaways

✓Since 1 May 2026, an unagreed increase needs a valid Section 13 notice — at least two months' notice, once every 12 months.
✓Informal letters, texts and verbal notices are not valid. Rent-review clauses are now void.
✓You can challenge an above-market increase free at the First-tier Tribunal, which cannot set it higher than proposed.
✓If a notice is invalid, your old rent legally continues — don't start paying the higher amount.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and changed how landlords can raise the rent. For most private tenancies, a landlord can no longer rely on a rent-review clause (these are now void) and must use the statutory Section 13 process for any increase you have not agreed to.

That means three tests decide whether your increase is valid: how it was served, how much notice you were given, and how recently your rent last went up.

The three validity tests

—Served correctly: it must be a formal Section 13 notice (Form 4). An informal letter, email, text or verbal request is not valid.
—Enough notice: at least two months before the new rent starts (doubled from one month under the old rules).
—Not too frequent: no more than once every 12 months.

Check your increase in seconds

Enter your dates and figures into our free rent increase checker — it applies the Section 13 rules and tells you if the notice looks valid.

Open the free rent increase checker

How to challenge it

If the notice fails any test above, it is likely invalid and your existing rent continues until a valid one is served — so do not simply start paying the higher amount, as that can be treated as acceptance.

If the notice is valid but the new rent is above local market rate, you can refer it (free) to the First-tier Tribunal. Importantly, the tribunal cannot set the rent higher than your landlord proposed, and any new figure applies only from the decision date.

Want it checked properly, with a response letter?

The £9.99 Rent Increase Audit checks the notice against every rule, compares your postcode, and gives you a draft response to your landlord.

Run the £9.99 rent audit

Questions

How much notice must my landlord give for a rent increase?+

At least two months before the new rent starts, on a valid Section 13 notice, and no more than once every 12 months. Less than that and the notice is invalid.

Can my landlord raise the rent with a text message?+

No. An unagreed increase must be on a formal Section 13 notice (Form 4). A text, email, letter or verbal request is not a valid way to impose an increase.

What happens if I just refuse to pay the increase?+

If the notice was invalid, your old rent still applies and refusing is fine — do not pay the higher amount. If it was valid, you can accept, negotiate, or challenge it at the tribunal within the time limit.

Free tool

Rent Increase Checker

Enter your rent increase and we check whether the notice is legally valid under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — instantly, free, no sign-up.

£9.99 audit

Rent Increase Legality Check

Is your landlord allowed to raise your rent by that much? Find out before you pay.