Who can challenge a rent increase notice using Form Rents1?

You can challenge a rent increase if you hold an assured tenancy in England and your landlord has served a valid notice. The First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber will determine the open market rent under section 13 of the Housing Act 1988, as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. This process does not apply to social housing tenants or contractual periodic tenancies without a statutory rent review clause.

When is the deadline to apply to the tribunal?

You must submit your application to the First-tier Tribunal before the proposed effective date of the rent increase. Missing this deadline is a critical error that prevents the tribunal from hearing your case. The notice must be referred to the tribunal for determination under the statutory process before the new rent is due to take effect.

What evidence do I need to provide to the tribunal?

You should provide evidence of comparable rents for similar properties. While the tribunal will not automatically assume the landlord's figure is correct, you are expected to put your case forward. The letter template suggests enclosing copies of at least three comparable rental properties to support your argument that the proposed rent exceeds the open market rate.

What information must be included in the referral letter?

The letter should include your and the landlord's details, the property address, current and proposed rents, and the date the increase takes effect. You must state that the proposed rent exceeds the open market rent and list comparable evidence. You should also enclose the completed Form Rents1, a copy of the tenancy agreement, and the landlord's notice.

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Housing

Housing Law

Updated 2026-05-21

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

Fill in your details

Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.

Date*

Property address*

Your name*

Landlord's name*

Current rent (£)*

Proposed rent (£)*

Rent frequency*

Date increase to take effect*

Date of landlord's notice*

Tenancy commencement date*

Comparable rental property 1*

Comparable rental property 2*

Comparable rental property 3*

Property condition issues (optional)*

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.

Related Guides

Rent Increase Challenges Rra

Official Resources

Form Rents1 — Tribunal application →Housing Act 1988 s.13 →

Frequently asked questions

Who can challenge a rent increase notice using Form Rents1?: You can challenge a rent increase if you hold an assured tenancy in England and your landlord has served a valid notice. The First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber will determine the open market rent under section 13 of the Housing Act 1988, as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. This process does not apply to social housing tenants or contractual periodic tenancies without a statutory rent review clause.
When is the deadline to apply to the tribunal?: You must submit your application to the First-tier Tribunal before the proposed effective date of the rent increase. Missing this deadline is a critical error that prevents the tribunal from hearing your case. The notice must be referred to the tribunal for determination under the statutory process before the new rent is due to take effect.
What evidence do I need to provide to the tribunal?: You should provide evidence of comparable rents for similar properties. While the tribunal will not automatically assume the landlord's figure is correct, you are expected to put your case forward. The letter template suggests enclosing copies of at least three comparable rental properties to support your argument that the proposed rent exceeds the open market rate.
Can I use this form if my tenancy has a contractual rent review clause?: No, the tribunal cannot determine contractual rent reviews. Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 applies specifically to statutory increases for assured tenancies. If your tenancy is a contractual periodic tenancy without a statutory rent review clause, or if the dispute concerns a contractual review mechanism, the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber does not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
What information must be included in the referral letter?: The letter should include your and the landlord's details, the property address, current and proposed rents, and the date the increase takes effect. You must state that the proposed rent exceeds the open market rent and list comparable evidence. You should also enclose the completed Form Rents1, a copy of the tenancy agreement, and the landlord's notice.