Applying to the First-tier Tribunal about a rent increase costs £47 for notices dated on or after 1 May 2026. You may pay less or nothing through Help with Fees if you have savings under £4,250 (for a fee this size) and either get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit with earnings under £6,000 a year, or have a low income. Apply online or with form EX160 before you apply to the tribunal.
The tribunal fee
GOV.UK says an open market rent application costs £47. You do not have to pay the fee if your notice is dated before 1 May 2026, or if you live in a social rented property. Shelter confirms the £47 figure for applications from 1 May 2026.
If you are eligible for Help with Fees, get your reference number first. GOV.UK's online rent application asks for it.
Who qualifies
GOV.UK's Help with Fees page says eligibility depends on three things: your savings, the benefits you get, and your income. If you have a partner, include their savings and income too.
| Test | For a £47 fee |
|---|---|
| Savings and investments | Less than £4,250 (or under £16,000 if you or your partner are 66 or over) |
| Benefits route | Income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support, Universal Credit (earning under £6,000 a year), or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit |
| Income route: single | Monthly income of £1,420 or less for full help |
| Income route: with a partner | Monthly income of £2,130 or less for full help |
| Children | Add £425 per child aged 0 to 13, and £710 per child aged 14 or over |
If your income is above these levels, you may still get some money off. GOV.UK's EX160A guidance explains how partial help is worked out, and there is an EX160C calculator.
Check your notice
See if your section 13 notice looks valid and your tribunal deadline, in about two minutes.
What counts as savings
GOV.UK's EX160A guidance counts money in savings accounts and ISAs, unspent income from previous months, bonds, lump sums such as redundancy pay, stocks and shares including cryptocurrency, equity in second homes, and money or property outside the UK. It does not count wages, benefits, personal pensions or student loans, and a long list of compensation payments is excluded.
How to apply
- Check eligibility on GOV.UK's "Get help paying court and tribunal fees" page.
- Apply online, or with paper form EX160.
- Report your income for the last calendar month, or the average of the last three months, whichever is lower.
- Keep your Help with Fees reference number.
- Enter the reference when you apply to the tribunal online, or include it with form MR1.
Do this early. You must apply to the tribunal before the new rent start date, so do not let a fees application delay you. If time is short, apply to the tribunal and follow the instructions for fee help on the application.
Other costs
Apart from the fee, the tribunal process is usually low cost. You do not need a representative. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice and local law centres. Keep receipts for any costs such as printing photos.
- Notice dated on or after 1 May 2026, so the £47 fee applies
- Savings under the limit
- Benefit or income test met
- Help with Fees reference number saved
- Tribunal application made before the start date
Worked examples
| Household | Situation | Likely result |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | Earns £1,300 a month, £800 savings | Within the income and savings limits: may not pay the fee |
| Couple, two children aged 7 and 5 | Joint income £2,900 a month | Under the £2,980 limit (GOV.UK example): may not pay the fee |
| Single, on Universal Credit | Earns £5,000 a year, £200 savings | Benefit route: may not pay the fee |
| Single | Earns £2,500 a month, £1,000 savings | Over the full-help limit: may get partial help or pay the fee |
These are illustrations based on GOV.UK's published thresholds. The Help with Fees decision is made by HMCTS, so always apply rather than assume.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to include a partner's savings or income.
- Reporting the higher of last month's income or the three-month average, when you can choose the lower.
- Waiting for a Help with Fees decision and missing the tribunal deadline.
- Not keeping the reference number.
If you are refused
If your Help with Fees application is refused, you will be told why and asked to pay the fee. Check the decision: mistakes about income, savings or a partner's details can happen. You can ask for the decision to be reconsidered and explain any error. Do not let a fees dispute stop you applying to the tribunal before the start date. Contact the tribunal straight away if you are worried about timing.
Checklist
- Fee applies (£47, notice dated on or after 1 May 2026)
- Savings below £4,250 (or £16,000 if 66 or over)
- Qualifying benefit, or income under the threshold
- Partner's savings and income included
- Reference number saved and added to the tribunal application
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee if my notice was before 1 May 2026?
No. GOV.UK says there is no fee for notices dated before 1 May 2026.
Do social housing tenants pay?
GOV.UK says no fee applies if you live in a social rented property.
Can I get the fee back if I win?
Ask the tribunal. Fee orders are at its discretion.
Can I apply for Help with Fees online?
Yes. GOV.UK offers an online application as well as the paper EX160 form. Online is usually quicker and gives you a reference number straight away.
Does Section13Check pay the tribunal fee?
No. The tribunal fee is separate and paid to the tribunal.
Check your notice
See if your section 13 notice looks valid and your tribunal deadline, in about two minutes.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Get help paying court and tribunal fees
- GOV.UK: Apply for help with court and tribunal fees (form EX160)
- GOV.UK: Apply for an open market rent determination (form MR1)
- Shelter England: Ask a tribunal to set the rent
Section13Check is a document helper, not legal advice. This guide explains the published rules for private tenants in England. For advice about your situation, contact Shelter, Citizens Advice or a law centre.