How do I refer a rent increase to the Property Chamber?

You apply using Form MR1 (Apply for an open market rent determination) to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) before the date the proposed increase is due to take effect. The tribunal will assess the open market rent for a comparable property in your area and make a determination. If the tribunal sets a lower rent than proposed, the landlord cannot charge more.

What happens if I do not refer the increase in time?

If you do not refer the increase before the effective date stated in the Section 13 notice, the new rent takes effect automatically and you lose the right to challenge it. It is critical to act before the deadline. Start My Claim helps you prepare a summary and supporting statement. You complete and submit the official MR1 yourself.

Can my landlord evict me for challenging a rent increase?

No. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, retaliatory action against a tenant for exercising their legal rights — including referring a rent increase — is prohibited and can itself give rise to a Rent Repayment Order claim. Challenging a rent increase is a protected act.

What does the tribunal consider when setting the rent?

The tribunal assesses the open market rent — what a landlord could reasonably expect to achieve for the property on the open market at the relevant date, from a willing tenant taking a new periodic tenancy. It considers comparable properties in the area, the condition of the property, its amenities, and any other relevant factors. You will need to provide comparables evidence. We help you identify and present this.

Can my landlord increase the rent again straight after the tribunal decision?

No. A landlord cannot increase the rent before the anniversary of the last increase, and cannot serve a new Section 13 notice while a tribunal application is still pending. The tribunal determination sets the rent until the landlord is next entitled to propose an increase — at least 12 months later.

Your landlord wants more. Challenge it.

Since 1 May 2026, your landlord can only raise the rent once every 52 weeks, using the prescribed form (Form 4A), with at least 2 months’ warning. If you think the proposed rent is above the market rate — or the notice itself has problems — you can take it to the housing tribunal.

Check your Section 13 notice

Answer four questions to see if the notice is valid.

Did your landlord use Form 4A?

Did you receive at least 2 months' notice?

Is this within the first 52 weeks of your tenancy?

Was your rent increased in the past 52 weeks?

Notice appears valid on these answers

A valid notice does not mean you have to accept the rent. You have the right to refer the amount to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — they will assess what comparable properties in your area actually rent for and set the maximum chargeable rent. Once the effective date shown on your notice passes, this right disappears permanently and the increase takes effect automatically.

Potential issues found

A bad notice doesn’t legally count — but it won’t go away on its own. You need to either take it to the tribunal or write to your landlord and tell them what’s wrong. Acting fast stops any argument about whether the new rent applies.

To take this to the tribunal you need to file the right form before the new rent kicks in — backed up by what similar homes near you actually rent for and a short written statement. We’ll write the whole thing for you. Fixed fee — £89.

How long do I have to file?

Enter the effective date shown on your Form 4A notice.

Act immediately — less than 2 weeks remaining.

MR1 preparation summary and supporting statement

Challenge Rent Increase

Rent Increase Challenge

Your landlord wants more. Challenge it.

Our free AI Notice Doctor flags possible problems for you to check. The optional £89 package prepares a summary and supporting statement from your answers, with a checklist for comparable-rent evidence. You complete the official application yourself. The tribunal decides the outcome; its application fee is separate and preparing a challenge takes time.

saving at avg increase

From notice received to tribunal application.

You must apply before the date the increase is due to take effect. Act quickly — we can prepare your application in under an hour.

We verify whether the Section 13 notice complies with the rules: Form 4A used, 2 months' notice given, not within the first year of tenancy, and not too soon after the last increase.

Build your tribunal application

We prepare an MR1 summary and draft supporting statement from your answers, with a comparables checklist. Use these to complete the official application separately; no official form is generated or filed for you.

File your application with the First-tier Tribunal before the effective date. We give you a guide to what happens at the determination hearing and how to present your comparables.

What’s included at £89

Everything to challenge your rent increase.

Section 13 Notice Validator

Checks Form 4A compliance, notice period, timing restrictions, and frequency rules under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

MR1 preparation summary

Your answers organised to help you complete the official application. The official MR1 must be completed and submitted separately.

Supporting Statement

Structured witness statement setting out your tenancy history, the proposed increase, and your grounds for referral.

Comparables Checklist

Identifies what evidence to gather — comparable properties, Rightmove/Zoopla searches, local rental index data — and how to present it to the tribunal.

Tribunal Procedure Guide

Step-by-step guide to the Property Chamber process: filing, the hearing, and what the determination means for your tenancy.

Legislation Reference

The relevant sections of the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025) that govern rent increase procedure.

Simple, fixed pricing

One price. Full application. Ready to file.

No subscription. No hidden extras. £89 covers your MR1 preparation summary, draft supporting statement and comparables guide. Preliminary notice checks remain free. The tribunal application fee is separate.

Rent Challenge — per case

One-off · this case only

Fixed fee · No subscription

Tribunal fees are set by HMCTS and paid separately. Check the current fee schedule on GOV.UK before applying — fees can change.

Rent increase challenge FAQ

Don’t accept an unfair rent rise.

Prepare your summary and supporting statement for £89, then complete and submit the official application yourself. The tribunal decides the outcome, and its application fee is separate.

Act before the notice effective date

Act before the effective date. You must apply to the tribunal before the date the proposed rent increase is due to take effect. Once the date passes, you lose the right to challenge this notice. Do not wait.

Not legal advice. Start My Claim is document-assembly software that helps you challenge a rent increase yourself at the First-tier Tribunal. For complex situations, get a second opinion from a qualified housing solicitor.

Sources: Housing Act 1988, s.13 (as amended by Renters’ Rights Act 2025) · Renters’ Rights Act 2025, s.7–9 · First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rules 2013 (SI 2013/1169) · MHCLG: Guidance for landlords on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 · Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Information Sheet (GOV.UK, 2026)