Tenant rent increase tool

Rent increase response letter

Respond clearly when your landlord proposes a higher rent. Build a letter that records the current rent, proposed rent, market evidence, and the outcome you want.

Letter builder

Build your rent increase response

Use the form to create a polite response. Leave any field blank and the draft will keep a placeholder you can complete later.

Draft output

Your letter

Dear [Landlord or agent name],

Re: Proposed rent increase for [Rental property address]

I am writing about the proposed rent increase from [Current monthly rent] to [Proposed monthly rent], due to take effect on [Date the increase would start]. I understand the increase was proposed by: [How was the increase proposed?].

I do not agree to the increase as proposed at this stage. My concerns are:

[Why you disagree or need clarification]

The evidence I have gathered is:

[Comparable rents or affordability evidence]

For private assured tenancies in England, I understand that rent increases should follow the correct process and should be in line with the open market rent for similar properties. Please confirm that the correct notice has been served and provide the comparable evidence you are relying on.

I would be willing to discuss the following alternative:

[Counter-offer or preferred outcome]

Please reply by [Date you want a reply by] so we can resolve this before the proposed start date. I am keeping this correspondence as a written record of my response.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

Practical workflow

How to use this tool well

The draft is strongest when it is backed by dates, amounts, agreement wording, and evidence. Work through these steps before sending it.

1

Read the notice or email carefully and identify the proposed start date.

2

Compare similar local rents using current listings and, where possible, recently let properties.

3

Reply in writing with a clear accept, reject, counter-offer, or request for evidence.

4

Keep copies of the notice, your reply, screenshots, and any rent agreement.

When this letter is useful

Use this response when you have received a proposed rent increase and you need a written record of your position. It works for asking for the correct notice, requesting market evidence, making a counter-offer, or saying that you do not agree to the increase as proposed.

From May 1, 2026, GOV.UK guidance says most assured shorthold tenancies in England became assured periodic tenancies. Rent increase rules changed with that shift, so a current response should avoid relying only on old fixed-term AST assumptions.

How to keep the tone strong but reasonable

A good rent increase response is calm, specific, and evidence-led. It should not accuse the landlord of acting unfairly unless you can explain exactly what is wrong. The aim is to create a paper trail that a landlord, agent, adviser, or tribunal could understand quickly.

If you can afford a smaller increase, include a counter-offer. If you cannot judge the increase yet, ask for the comparables the landlord used. If the proposed rent appears above local market rent, say so and attach your evidence.

Important limits

This draft is not a tribunal application and it does not pause any legal deadline by itself. If you have received a formal rent increase notice and want to challenge it, check the deadline on the notice and get advice before the new rent is due to start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refuse a rent increase in England?

You can say that you do not agree, but what happens next depends on your tenancy type and the process used. If the landlord uses the section 13 process, you may need to apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the new rent is due to start if you want the rent assessed.

What should I include in a rent increase response?

Include the property address, current rent, proposed rent, proposed start date, whether you agree, and the evidence behind your position. Keep a copy of the letter and any attachments.

Should I stop paying rent while I dispute an increase?

Do not stop paying your existing rent without advice. Rent arrears can create eviction risk. If you dispute an increase, keep paying the rent that is clearly due while you get advice on the correct process.

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