How Often Can a Landlord Increase Rent?

Rent increases are a common concern for tenants. Understanding how often your landlord can raise the rent depends on your tenancy agreement and the laws in place. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

1. Fixed-Term Tenancies

If you have a fixed-term tenancy, your landlord generally cannot increase the rent during the fixed period unless:

• Your tenancy agreement includes a clause allowing for an increase.
• You and the landlord mutually agree to a new rent.

Once the fixed term ends, a new agreement or a rent review may take place. Private assured tenancies in England became periodic from 1 May 2026, so fixed terms and rent review clauses no longer apply to them.

2. Periodic Tenancies

For periodic tenancies (rolling month-to-month or week-to-week), landlords can increase the rent, but only under specific conditions:

• They must provide written notice using Form 4A (a Section 13 notice).
• The notice period is at least two months.
• A rent increase can occur only once per year, and not in the first year of the tenancy.

3. Section 13 Notices

In England, landlords must use a Section 13 notice to increase rent for periodic tenancies; since 1 May 2026 a different process in the tenancy agreement no longer applies to private assured tenancies. In Wales, rent increases are governed by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. This process ensures tenants receive adequate notice and gives them the opportunity to challenge the increase if they believe it is unfair.

4. Rent Control and Housing Schemes

In some cases, particularly for properties under rent control or specific housing schemes, there may be additional limits on how often rent can be increased. These rules vary depending on the local authority and housing program.

5. Can You Challenge Frequent Increases?

If you believe your landlord is raising rent too often or by too much, you can challenge the increase by applying to a tribunal. The tribunal will assess whether the increase is reasonable based on local market rates and legal guidelines.

Key Points

• Rent can usually only be increased once per year for periodic tenancies.
• Fixed-term tenancies protect against mid-term increases unless agreed otherwise.
• Landlords must follow legal procedures, including serving proper notice.
• Tenants can challenge unreasonable increases through a tribunal.

Knowing your rights helps you navigate rent discussions and protect yourself from unfair increases.