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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.