Section 13

Section 13 refers to Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988, the main statutory route in England and Wales for a landlord to increase the rent on a periodic assured tenancy (including most periodic ASTs), where there is no different rent-review mechanism already agreed in the contract.

Section 13 allows landlords to propose a new rent by serving the prescribed notice (Form 4) giving the correct minimum notice period, usually at least one month for monthly tenancies, and longer where the period is longer. You can normally only use Section 13 once every 12 months. It cannot be used to increase rent during a fixed term. It applies to periodic tenancies only.

The tenant can accept the new rent by paying it, or they can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) before the increase takes effect. The Tribunal will then decide a market rent based on evidence, and that decision is binding for a period.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, more tenancies are expected to be periodic and longer-term, so Section 13, or its successor provisions, becomes central to lawful rent setting. Landlords should ensure increases are reasonable, well evidenced and clearly documented, as sharp or poorly justified rises are more likely to be challenged or attract regulatory attention.