Finding a rent-review clause in an old tenancy agreement should begin a check, not end it. The current procedure for assured periodic tenancies in England needs to be considered before a landlord relies on wording written for the previous system.
GOV.UK says rent can only be increased once a year and not during the first year of the tenancy. The landlord must use Form 4A and give at least two months’ notice through the section 13 process, even where the proposed increase has already been agreed with the tenant.
Confirm the scope first
This guidance concerns assured periodic tenancies in England. Other UK nations and regulated tenancies have different rules. If the letting falls outside this framework, obtain advice before adapting a template. A familiar document name does not establish that the procedure is right for a particular tenancy.
Prepare the facts behind the proposal
Collect the tenancy start date, current rent, date of the last effective increase and records of any earlier notice. Keep a chronology that separates the date a letter was sent from the date a previous increase actually began.
Then explain the proposed figure in plain terms. If comparable homes are being considered, note differences in size, condition, location and included services. A screenshot showing a higher asking rent nearby is context, not proof that two homes are equivalent.
Discuss clearly and use the proper route
The official guidance recommends discussing the proposal with the tenant first. Record the discussion accurately, including questions still outstanding. Do not describe a conversation as completing the statutory process or use it to obscure the tenant’s ability to seek advice.
GOV.UK explains that a tenant who considers the proposed rent above the open-market rent can ask the First-tier Tribunal to determine it. Read the current forms and guidance promptly if a challenge arises; this article does not calculate a deadline or decide an individual case.
Keep copies of the completed form, accompanying correspondence and evidence of how it was provided. For increases involving notices or clauses used before 1 May 2026, consult the specific transitional guidance rather than assuming the new summary settles the position.
Source: GOV.UK, Assured periodic tenancies: rent increases, checked 2 November 2026.