How much notice does a landlord have to give for a rent increase?

If your landlord has just sent you a rent increase notice, the first thing to check is not the amount -- it is the timing. A notice that gives you too little time is legally invalid, regardless of what it says about your new rent.

Under the current rules, the required notice period depends on how often you pay rent. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, that changes. This guide explains what applies now, what is coming from 1 May 2026, and how to check whether your notice gives you enough time.

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The current rules: notice periods by payment frequency

Under the Housing Act 1988 (Section 13), landlords on periodic tenancies must give the following minimum notice before a rent increase can take effect:

Payment frequency	Minimum notice required
Weekly	1 week
Monthly	1 month
Quarterly	3 months
Yearly	6 months

So if you pay rent monthly, your landlord must give you at least one full calendar month's notice. If you pay quarterly, they need to give you three months. These are minimum requirements -- a landlord can give more notice, but not less.

The notice period starts from the date the notice is served (or delivered), not from the date it is written. If the notice is posted, it is generally treated as received two working days after it was sent.

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The notice must also start on the right date

Getting the length of notice right is only part of it. The proposed start date of the rent increase must fall on the first day of a new tenancy period.

For monthly tenants who pay on the 1st of the month, the increase must take effect from the 1st. If you pay on the 15th, the increase must start on a 15th. A notice that proposes the increase starting mid-period -- say, on the 10th of a month for someone who pays on the 1st -- is invalid.

This is one of the most common mistakes on Section 13 notices, and one that is easy to miss if you are not looking for it.

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What Form 4 is and why it matters

Your landlord must use the right form when proposing a rent increase on a periodic tenancy. Currently, that form is Form 4 -- officially the "Landlord's notice proposing a new rent" under the Housing Act 1988.

A landlord cannot simply write a letter or send an email saying that rent is going up. The notice must be on (or in the style of) Form 4, include specific information about the tenancy and the proposed increase, and comply with the requirements of Section 13.

If your landlord has not used Form 4 -- or has used an out-of-date version -- the notice may be invalid. You can check your notice at RentSOS to identify whether the form used meets the legal requirements.

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What changes on 1 May 2026: the Renters' Rights Act

From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 fundamentally changes how rent increases work for all assured tenancies in England.

The most significant change to notice periods is this: all tenants will receive a minimum of 2 months' notice, regardless of how often they pay rent. Weekly tenants, who currently get just one week, will get 2 months. Monthly tenants, who currently get one month, will also get 2 months. The notice period can no longer vary by payment frequency.

There are also changes to the form itself. The current Form 4 will be replaced by a new Form 4A. Any notice served on the old Form 4 after 1 May 2026 will be invalid.

If you receive a rent increase notice now -- before the Act comes into effect -- the current rules apply. The 2-month minimum is not available to you yet, but the existing notice period requirements still must be followed. An insufficient notice under the current rules is still invalid.

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What to check on your notice

When you receive a Section 13 notice, here is what to look at:

1. Is the form correct? The notice should be headed "Landlord's notice proposing a new rent" and reference the Housing Act 1988. If it looks like a typed letter or an email, it may not meet the requirements.

2. When was it served? Note the date the notice was delivered or posted. The notice period starts from this date, not from any date written at the top.

3. Is the notice period long enough? Count forward from the date of service by the required period for your payment frequency. Does the proposed start date of the increase fall on or after that point?

4. Does the increase start on the right day? The proposed start date must be the first day of a new tenancy period. Check this against the date you normally pay rent.

5. Is the tenancy type stated correctly? Form 4 requires the landlord to confirm the tenancy type. Errors here can invalidate the notice.

If any of these checks raises a concern, the notice may be invalid. That does not mean the rent cannot go up -- it means the landlord needs to start again with a valid notice.

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What happens if the notice period is wrong?

If your landlord gave you less notice than the law requires, the notice has no legal effect. That means the rent increase cannot lawfully take effect on the proposed date. Your rent should remain at its current level until a valid notice is served and the correct notice period has passed.

You are not required to accept the increase just because you received a notice. You are also not required to inform your landlord that their notice is invalid -- though if you want to avoid confusion, it is sensible to do so in writing.

If your landlord insists the increase is valid and tries to enforce it anyway, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a determination of the correct rent. This process does not require a solicitor and is straightforward to navigate. Our guide to the rent increase tribunal explains how it works.

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What to do if your notice period is correct but the amount seems high

Checking the notice period is the first step, but even a notice served with the correct period can be challenged on the amount.

If you believe the proposed rent is above the open market rate for a property like yours, you can refer the increase to the First-tier Tribunal. The tribunal will assess what a willing landlord and willing tenant would agree in the current market, and set a rent accordingly. Importantly, the tribunal cannot set the rent higher than your landlord proposed -- so there is nothing to lose by applying.

You can check your notice at RentSOS to see both whether the notice is formally valid and whether there are grounds to challenge the proposed amount.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: My landlord gave me exactly one month's notice on a monthly tenancy. Is that enough?

Yes, one calendar month satisfies the minimum requirement for a monthly tenancy under the current rules. However, confirm that the proposed start date falls on the first day of a tenancy period (the day you normally pay rent). If it does not, the notice is still invalid even though the notice period itself is correct.

Q: Can my landlord send the notice by email?

There is no express prohibition on email service, but the method of service must allow you to reasonably receive the notice. Some tenancy agreements specify how notices should be served. Check your agreement. If your landlord serves by email and you dispute receipt, this can become a complicating factor -- keep records of when you received any communication about a rent increase.

Q: What if my landlord gave me a verbal notice of a rent increase?

A verbal notice does not satisfy the requirements of Section 13. A landlord must serve a written notice in the prescribed form. A verbal conversation about a rent increase is not legally binding and does not start the notice period running.

Q: Does the 2-month notice period under the Renters' Rights Act apply to my current notice?

Only if the notice is served on or after 1 May 2026, when the Act comes into effect. If you have already received a notice -- or receive one before that date -- the current rules apply, and the required notice period is determined by your rent payment frequency.

Q: Can my landlord give the correct notice period but increase the rent by any amount they like?

Your landlord can propose any amount, but you have the right to challenge it. If the proposed rent is above the open market rate for your property, the First-tier Tribunal can set a lower figure. The tribunal cannot set the rent higher than the proposed amount, so you have no risk in applying. RentSOS can help you check whether the proposed amount has grounds for challenge.