Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, serving a Section 13 notice incorrectly voids the increase. Use this free checklist to make sure every notice is watertight.
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10 things to check before serving a Section 13 notice.
Must use the official “Landlord’s notice proposing a new rent under an Assured Periodic Tenancy” (Form 4). Custom letters do not satisfy the statutory requirement.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 the minimum notice period is 2 months. The old 1-month minimum no longer applies to assured shorthold tenancies.
Rent cannot be increased within 12 months of the tenancy start date, or within 12 months of the last Section 13 increase. Check both dates before serving.
The new rent must not exceed the prevailing open market rent for the property. If it does, the tenant can successfully challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal and have it reduced.
Where there is more than one tenant, the notice must be served on each of them individually. Serving only one joint tenant is not valid service.
Serve by personal delivery, first class post to the tenancy address, or by email — but only if the tenant has previously agreed in writing to receive notices electronically.
The increase can only take effect from the first day of a new rental period. Calculate the correct date from the rent payment cycle — getting this wrong means the notice is invalid.
Once a tenancy becomes periodic, contractual rent review clauses no longer apply. Section 13 is the only valid statutory route to increase rent on a periodic tenancy.
Keep a copy of the completed Form 4 and evidence of service — proof of posting, delivery confirmation, or a read receipt if served by email. You may need this at Tribunal.
The tenant has 2 months from the date of the notice to refer it to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) if they dispute the proposed rent. Form 4 includes this, but make sure it’s clear.
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