Form 4A served during the 12-month rent-increase freeze: the tenant procedural-challenge walkthrough (RRA, May 2026)
Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 a landlord cannot increase rent in the first 12 months of a new assured tenancy, and cannot increase rent more than once in any 12-month period thereafter. A Form 4A served inside that freeze window is invalid on its face - no need to involve the First-tier Tribunal, no need to argue market rent. A single procedural-challenge letter ends it. This walkthrough covers the 12-month rule, how to spot the freeze breach in three checks, and the one-letter response template.
Council tax under the Renters' Rights Act periodic-by-default regime: when does the bill move? The tenant walkthrough (May 2026)
Historically, a tenant on a statutory periodic tenancy who moved out before the notice end date stopped being liable for council tax the day they vacated - the empty-property charge fell on the landlord. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 has reversed that. Tenants are now liable for council tax until the end of the notice period they served, even if they leave the property earlier. This walkthrough covers the new rule, the timing maths, the leave-early scenario that catches tenants out, and how to evidence the vacate date if the council pushes back.
Successor tenancy after the death of a joint tenant under the Renters' Rights Act 2025: the surviving tenant's walkthrough (May 2026)
When a joint tenant dies, the law of survivorship takes over - the surviving joint tenant becomes the sole tenant automatically. No new tenancy, no Form 6A, no eviction. But landlords and letting agents routinely test this rule, asking the surviving tenant to "sign a new agreement" or hinting that they might need to leave. This walkthrough covers the survivorship rule, the four common landlord-dispute scenarios under the new Renters' Rights Act regime, and the two short letters that close those scenarios down.