Section 13 rent increase notice 2026: step by step

Q: Can I still use a rent review clause in my AST after the Renters Rights Act?

For assured periodic tenancies in England, fixed percentage or RPI style clauses in old agreements are not a lawful route to increase rent after the Act’s changes. You must follow the Section 13 process with the prescribed form and notice period. Verify the current GOV.UK form before serving.

Q: How much notice do I give for a Section 13 rent increase in 2026?

You must give at least two calendar months’ notice before the proposed new rent takes effect, and you may only increase once every 12 months. Count dates carefully; an invalid notice means the increase does not bite and you restart.

Why Section 13 matters in 2026

The Renters Rights Act reshapes rent increases for assured periodic tenancies in England. Once every twelve months you may propose a new rent using the Section 13 process in the Housing Act 1988. Old rent-review clauses (fixed %, RPI ladders, etc.) in pre-2026 agreements are not a reliable lawful mechanism anymore — you still need Section 13.

Use Renters' Rights Act 2026 hub for the big-picture checklist (Information Sheet, pets, possession). This guide is the rent-increase deep dive. Not legal advice — verify the prescribed form on GOV.UK before serving.

Step 1 — Confirm tenancy type and timing

1.Check the tenancy is assured / AST and periodic (weekly or monthly).

2.Confirm you have not increased rent in the last 12 months via Section 13.

3.Diarise two calendar months from your intended service date to the proposed new rent start date.

If you are unsure whether the tenancy is still AST or has become statutory periodic, take solicitor advice — wrong assumptions produce void notices.

Step 2 — Choose the correct prescribed form

Download the current Section 13 notice from GOV.UK (see links on this page). Forms change; photocopying an old PDF from 2023 can invalidate the whole exercise.

Complete:

Landlord and tenant names

Property address

Current rent and proposed rent

Dates consistent with at least two months’ notice

LetCompliance can draft a working Section 13 PDF from your inputs for review — always check it against the live prescribed form before service.

Step 3 — Serve the notice correctly

Use a method you can prove:

Hand delivery with a receipt or witness note

First-class post — understand deemed service rules; keep proof of postage

Email only if the tenancy agreement expressly allows notice by email

Store: copy of the signed/served notice, proof of sending, and a note of date of service.

Step 4 — Tenant response and tribunal risk

The tenant may refer the proposed rent to the First-tier Tribunal if they believe it exceeds market level. That does not mean you cannot increase rent — it means you should document comparables (similar lets nearby) and be prepared to justify open market rent.

If the notice is defective, the increase does not take effect and you may lose months of higher rent while you re-serve. Precision beats optimism.

Common mistakes that invalidate Section 13

Too little notice (under two months where required)

Wrong form or outdated version

Second increase inside twelve months

Ambiguous dates or rent figures

Email service without contractual permission

Pair this with UK landlord compliance 2026 so Gas Safety, EICR, deposit and Right to Rent stay court-ready if you ever need Section 8.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use a rent review clause in my AST after the Renters Rights Act?

For assured periodic tenancies in England, fixed percentage or RPI style clauses in old agreements are not a lawful route to increase rent after the Act’s changes. You must follow the Section 13 process with the prescribed form and notice period. Verify the current GOV.UK form before serving.

How much notice do I give for a Section 13 rent increase in 2026?

You must give at least two calendar months’ notice before the proposed new rent takes effect, and you may only increase once every 12 months. Count dates carefully; an invalid notice means the increase does not bite and you restart.