Challenge to Rent Increase Notice (Form Rents1)
Letter accompanying a Form Rents1 referral to the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber under the Renters' Rights Act 2025-amended s.13 process.
This template was not drafted by a solicitor.
It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.
When to use this template
When your landlord has served a rent increase notice for an assured tenancy in England and you want the First-tier Tribunal to determine the open market rent.
When NOT to use this template
If you are a social housing tenant; if your tenancy is a contractual periodic tenancy without a statutory rent review clause; if the notice took effect before you applied to the tribunal.
Legal Basis
Housing Act 1988 s.13 and s.14 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025). Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
Before you send
- Missing the deadline — you must apply BEFORE the proposed effective date of the increase
- Not providing comparable rents evidence (the tribunal will not assume the landlord's figure is correct, but you should put your case forward)
- Confusing s.13 (statutory increase for assured tenancies) with contractual rent review (which the tribunal cannot determine)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Missing the deadline — you must apply BEFORE the proposed effective date of the increase
- ✗Not providing comparable rents evidence (the tribunal will not assume the landlord's figure is correct, but you should put your case forward)
- ✗Confusing s.13 (statutory increase for assured tenancies) with contractual rent review (which the tribunal cannot determine)
Build Your Letter
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Letter preview
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Telephone] [Email] First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) [Regional office address] Date: [DATE] Dear Sir / Madam, Referral under Section 13(4A) of the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025) Property: [PROPERTY ADDRESS] Tenant: [YOUR NAME] Landlord: [LANDLORD'S NAME] Current rent: £[CURRENT RENT (£)] per [RENT FREQUENCY] Proposed rent: £[PROPOSED RENT (£)] per [RENT FREQUENCY] from [DATE INCREASE TO TAKE EFFECT] I refer the rent increase notice dated [DATE OF LANDLORD'S NOTICE] to the Tribunal for determination under section 13(4A) of the Housing Act 1988 as amended. 1. Tenancy details I am the tenant of [PROPERTY ADDRESS] under an assured tenancy that commenced on [TENANCY COMMENCEMENT DATE]. A copy of the tenancy agreement is enclosed. 2. The rent increase notice The landlord has served a notice dated [DATE OF LANDLORD'S NOTICE] (enclosed) proposing to increase the rent from £[CURRENT RENT (£)] per [RENT FREQUENCY] to £[PROPOSED RENT (£)] per [RENT FREQUENCY] with effect from [DATE INCREASE TO TAKE EFFECT]. 3. Grounds for referral I refer the notice on the basis that the proposed rent exceeds the rent at which the property could reasonably be let on the open market under an assured tenancy on the same terms. 4. Comparable evidence I rely on the following comparable rental evidence (copies enclosed): - [COMPARABLE RENTAL PROPERTY 1] - [COMPARABLE RENTAL PROPERTY 2] - [COMPARABLE RENTAL PROPERTY 3] 5. Property condition [Optional: I also draw the Tribunal's attention to the following condition issues affecting the open market rent: [PROPERTY CONDITION ISSUES (OPTIONAL)]] 6. Application form I enclose the completed Form Rents1 (Tribunal application form) and request that this referral be considered as part of the application. Please confirm receipt and provide the case number and timetable. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.