How much notice does a landlord have to give for a rent increase?

The two-month rule

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 doubled the minimum notice for most private tenants in England. Before 1 May 2026, a landlord with a monthly or weekly tenancy only had to give one month's notice of a rent increase. From 1 May 2026, every section 13 notice for a private assured tenancy must be served at least two months before the new rent can start. Form 4A says this in its first note: "In all cases, this notice must be served at least two months before the new rent can start."

Two months is a minimum, not a fixed period. A landlord can give more notice, and often has to in practice, because the start date must also fall on a rent day and respect the once-a-year rule.

How to count two months

Start from the day the notice was served on you. Two calendar months later is the earliest date the new rent can start. Some examples:

The right-hand column shows why the rent-day rule matters. If you pay on the 1st of each month, the new rent must begin on the 1st. A notice served on 20 September cannot start the new rent on 1 November, because that is less than two months away; the first valid date is 1 December.

When is a notice "served"?

Service is the formal delivery of the notice. Form 4A tells landlords they must be able to prove they served it, and sets out the methods: any method agreed in your written tenancy agreement, or otherwise handing it to you in person, leaving it at your address, or sending it by registered post. GOV.UK's tenant guide lists in person, by post, and by email if your tenancy agreement allows it.

If you are not sure when the notice counts as served, note the date you actually received it, keep the envelope or the email, and take a photo of the notice. These details help if the dates are disputed later. See our guide to notices served by email for more.

Notices given before 1 May 2026

If your landlord served a notice under the old rules, before 1 May 2026, GOV.UK says the notice period and increase in that form still apply, even if the new rent starts after 1 May. Under the old section 13 rules, the minimum was one month for weekly, fortnightly and monthly tenancies, six months for yearly tenancies, and one full period for others such as quarterly.

Old-style rent review clauses are different. GOV.UK says that if an increase under a rent review clause was agreed before 1 May 2026 but takes effect after that date, it will not apply.

What if the notice period is too short?

A notice that gives less than two months does not meet section 13, so it does not lawfully increase the rent. You do not need to pay the higher amount on the strength of it. Shelter says the landlord would need to give you a new section 13 notice.

The practical steps are the same as for any invalid notice:

1. Write to your landlord, politely pointing out the short notice period and that you will continue to pay the current rent.
2. Keep paying your current rent on time.
3. If the landlord does not accept this, you can ask the First-tier Tribunal to decide on validity before the proposed start date.

• Date the notice was served on you
• Date the new rent is meant to start
• At least two calendar months between the two
• Start date falls on one of your rent days
• Proof of how and when it was delivered

Your deadline if you want to challenge

Whatever the notice period, you must apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the start date in the notice if you want the tribunal to look at the rent or the notice. GOV.UK is clear that you must apply before the start date even if you are still collecting evidence. With a two-month notice period, that gives you roughly eight weeks to talk to your landlord, gather comparables and apply.