Section 13 Rent Increase Notices Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025: A Complete Guide

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has brought significant changes to how landlords can increase rent through Section 13 notices. With the 31 May 2026 compliance deadline now passed, understanding these new rules isn't just good practice—it's essential for avoiding costly legal challenges and maintaining compliant tenancies.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about serving Section 13 rent increase notices under the new regulatory framework.

What Has Changed Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025?

The Act has fundamentally altered the rent increase landscape for private landlords. Key changes include:

• Extended notice periods: Minimum notice periods have been substantially increased
• Enhanced tenant rights: Stronger protections against unreasonable increases
• Stricter documentation requirements: More rigorous record-keeping and evidence standards
• Expanded tribunal powers: First-tier Tribunals now have broader scope to review increases

These changes apply to all assured shorthold tenancies and periodic tenancies in England, regardless of when they were originally granted.

Notice Periods for Section 13 Increases

Under the new rules, landlords must provide significantly longer notice periods:

• Annual increases: Minimum 3 months' notice (increased from the previous 1 month)
• First increase in 24 months: Minimum 4 months' notice
• Vulnerable tenants: Additional 1 month notice required where tenant receives housing benefit or has declared disabilities

The notice period begins from the date the tenant receives the Section 13 notice, not when you send it. This makes proving delivery absolutely critical—something many landlords overlook until they face a tribunal challenge.

Calculating Notice Periods Correctly

Notice periods must align with rental payment dates. For example:

• Monthly tenancies: Notice expires on a rent payment date
• Weekly tenancies: Notice expires on the same day of the week rent is due
• Quarterly tenancies: Notice expires on a quarter day

Get this calculation wrong, and your entire notice becomes invalid, forcing you to start the process again.

Justifying Rent Increases

The Act requires landlords to provide stronger justification for proposed increases. Acceptable reasons include:

• Market rate alignment: Demonstrable evidence that current rent is below comparable properties
• Property improvements: Capital investments that enhance the property's value or energy efficiency
• Increased costs: Rising mortgage rates, insurance premiums, or essential maintenance costs
• Regulatory compliance: Costs incurred meeting new safety or energy performance standards

"Tribunals now examine rent increase justifications far more rigorously than before. Landlords who can't demonstrate clear reasoning with supporting evidence face having increases reduced or rejected entirely." — First-tier Tribunal guidance

Tenant Rights and Tribunal Challenges

Tenants now have enhanced rights to challenge Section 13 notices through the First-tier Tribunal. They can:

• Request a market rent determination within 3 months of receiving notice
• Challenge the timing if proper notice periods weren't observed
• Dispute reasonableness where increases appear excessive or unjustified
• Seek costs against landlords who serve defective notices

Common Grounds for Successful Challenges

Tribunals frequently rule against landlords who:

• Fail to prove proper service of the notice
• Cannot demonstrate market rate justification
• Ignore property condition when setting increases
• Don't account for local market variations
• Serve notices with technical defects or incorrect calculations

Documentation and Compliance Requirements

The Act demands comprehensive documentation at every stage:

Before Serving Notice

• Market research demonstrating comparable rental values
• Property condition assessments
• Records of recent improvements or essential repairs
• Evidence of increased costs (mortgage statements, insurance renewals)

Serving the Notice

• Proof of delivery to all tenants
• Confirmation notices were received
• Audit trail showing exact dates and methods of service

After Service

• Records of tenant acknowledgement
• Any tenant correspondence or objections
• Evidence supporting the increase amount

Establishing a defensible audit trail has become crucial. Ploxit helps landlords maintain comprehensive records by automatically tracking when tenants receive and acknowledge notices, creating the documentation tribunals expect to see.

Best Practices for Section 13 Compliance

Research Thoroughly

Before setting any increase:

• Check comparable properties on major letting websites
• Consider local market reports and area-specific data
• Factor in property condition and unique features
• Account for any outstanding maintenance issues

Time Increases Strategically

• Plan increases well in advance of desired implementation dates
• Consider tenant circumstances and local market conditions
• Avoid multiple increases in short timeframes
• Align with natural tenancy renewal periods where possible

Maintain Professional Standards

• Use official Section 13 forms with accurate information
• Provide clear, written justification for the increase
• Ensure all tenant names and addresses are correct
• Keep copies of all documentation and correspondence

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Frequent errors that invalidate Section 13 notices include:

• Incorrect notice periods: Not allowing sufficient time under new rules
• Poor service methods: Unable to prove tenant received the notice
• Mathematical errors: Wrong calculations or inconsistent figures
• Missing information: Incomplete forms or absent justification
• Timing issues: Serving notices too close to existing tenancy terms

The Importance of Proper Documentation

Under the current regulatory environment, maintaining detailed records isn't optional. Tribunals expect landlords to demonstrate:

• Proper service of all notices
• Reasonable justification for increases
• Compliance with procedural requirements
• Good faith in tenant communications

Ploxit's platform automatically generates the audit trail tribunals look for, tracking delivery confirmations and tenant acknowledgements while maintaining compliance with data protection requirements.

Looking Ahead: Staying Compliant

As enforcement of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 continues to evolve, landlords must adapt their practices accordingly. The penalties for non-compliance—including rent repayment orders and civil penalties—make getting Section 13 notices right essential for protecting your rental business.

Focus on building robust systems for notice service, maintain comprehensive documentation, and ensure every increase is properly justified and legally compliant.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Section 13 rent increase notices under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with a qualified legal professional for specific situations and ensure you're following the latest statutory requirements.