Section 13 Rent Increases: What Are They & How To Deal With Them

Summary

Rent increases can be a common occurrence for tenants in England and Wales. It can be difficult to know whether an increase is fair or legal. In this article, we will guide you through the process of rent increases and section 13 notices, explain your rights as a tenant, and provide helpful tips on how to handle the situation if you cannot afford the increase. The way your landlord can increase your rent depends on the type and term of your tenancy agreement. There are three main methods that your landlord can use: Your landlord can ask you to agree to a rent increase at any time during your tenancy. You can either accept or refuse the increase. If you accept it, you should make sure you have a written record of the agreement, such as an email or a letter. If you refuse it, your landlord cannot force you to pay the higher rent, unless they use another method to increase it. Your tenancy agreement may have a rent review clause that allows your landlord to increase your rent at certain times or intervals during your tenancy. For example, your rent may go up every year by a fixed amount or in line with inflation. If your tenancy agreement has a rent review clause, your landlord must.

Key information

• Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, if you are on a low income or out of work.
• Discretionary Housing Payment, if you need extra help with your rent or moving costs
• Local Welfare Assistance, if you need urgent help with essential items or bills.
• Rent increases can be a common occurrence for tenants in England and Wales. It can be difficult to know whether an increase is fair or legal.
• In this article, we will guide you through the process of rent increases and section 13 notices, explain your rights as a tenant, and provide helpful tips on how to handle the situation if you cannot afford the increase.
• The way your landlord can increase your rent depends on the type and term of your tenancy agreement. There are three main methods that your landlord can use:
• Your landlord can ask you to agree to a rent increase at any time during your tenancy. You can either accept or refuse the increase. If you accept it, you should make sure you have a written record of the agreement, such as an email or a letter. If you refuse it, your landlord cannot force you to pay the higher rent, unless they use another method to increase it.
• Your tenancy agreement may have a rent review clause that allows your landlord to increase your rent at certain times or intervals during your tenancy.
• For example, your rent may go up every year by a fixed amount or in line with inflation. If your tenancy agreement has a rent review clause, your landlord must follow its terms and give you notice of the increase in advance.
• If your tenancy is periodic (rolling on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis) or fixed-term (running for a set period) without a rent review clause, your landlord can use section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 to increase your rent.
• If you think your rent increase is unfair or unlawful, you can challenge it in different ways, depending on how your landlord has increased it. The main ways that you can challenge your rent increase are:
• You can try to negotiate with your landlord if you do not agree with their proposed rent increase.

Practical guidance

• Source: Section 13 Rent Increases: What Are They & How To Deal With Them

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