How do rent increases work under the Renters’ Rights Act?

Once a year, by Section 13 notice, with at least two months’ notice, and only up to market rent.

Rent review clauses in a tenancy agreement no longer do anything. The statutory notice is the only route, and the figure has to be what the property would achieve if it were newly advertised, not whatever the agreement said.

The tenant can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal. The tribunal cannot set a rent higher than the one you asked for and cannot backdate an increase, which removes the risk that used to stop tenants challenging.

This has applied since 1 May 2026.