Rent increase notice periods by UK nation
Last updated 25 Oct 2026
In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, a private landlord can usually raise the rent only once a year. The notice is two months in England and Wales and three months in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This page compares the main tenancy in each nation; older tenancy types and social housing have their own rules.
The comparison
| Nation (tenancy) | How often | Minimum notice | How to give it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England (assured periodic tenancy) | Once a year, and not in the first year | 2 months | Form 4A, the section 13 notice | GOV.UK |
| Scotland (private residential tenancy) | Once a year | 3 months | The prescribed rent-increase notice | Section 22, 2016 Act |
| Wales (periodic standard contract) | At least one year after the last new rent took effect | 2 months | Written notice of the new rent and its start date | Section 123, 2016 Act |
| Northern Ireland (private tenancy) | Not within 12 months of the start or the last increase | 3 months | Written notice of the new rent and its start date | Section 7, 2022 Act |
Each row links to the official source; check it before you serve a notice, as the rules for older tenancy types differ.
England
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 changed the rules from 1 May 2026. GOV.UK's landlord guide to assured periodic tenancies says you can increase the rent only once a year, and "You will not be able to increase the rent in the first year of the tenancy."
- Use Form 4A, "Landlord's notice proposing a new rent", and give it at least 2 months before the new rent starts.
- Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 sets the next increase at 52 weeks after the last one took effect.
- Rent review clauses in a tenancy agreement cannot be used for increases after 1 May 2026; the section 13 process replaces them.
- A tenant who thinks the new rent is above the open market rent can ask the First-tier Tribunal to decide, before the new rent starts.
See the Renters' Rights Act timeline for the other changes.
Scotland
The Scottish Government's easy read notes for the private residential tenancy, last updated 9 October 2026, say: "The rent can only go up once a year."
- Section 22 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 sets a minimum notice period of three months from the day the tenant receives the notice.
- An increase raised another way, such as in person, does not take effect.
- The tenant can refer the increase to a rent officer within 21 days of receiving the notice.
Two changes from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 are on the way. The Scottish Government's tenant rights page says that from 1 April 2027, tenants will have up to 30 days to ask for a review. It also says a rule against any increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy is coming, but "No date has been set for this change."
Wales
In Wales, section 123 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 covers periodic standard contracts. The landlord's notice must give at least two months before the new rent starts.
- The first notice can set any date.
- Each later increase must take effect "not less than one year after the last date on which a new rent took effect."
See occupation contracts in Wales.
Northern Ireland
From 1 April 2025, section 7 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 limits private rent increases.
- Rent cannot go up within 12 months of the tenancy starting or of the last increase.
- The new rent can only start at least three months after the landlord gives written notice.
- nidirect's private rent and tenancies page says the notice can be sent by email, text or other electronic means. The limits do not apply where a rent officer controls the rent.
See Northern Ireland's Private Tenancies Act for its other rules.
Keep a rent history with Letbook
Letbook is a compliance tracker for landlords in all four nations. Each tenancy has a rent history where you record the new rent, the date it takes effect and the date you served notice. You can attach the notice too. Letbook shows a note when a new increase falls within 12 months of the last one. It does not write or serve rent increase notices. Sign up free.
Related guides: landlord registration by nation, Scotland's private residential tenancy, how possession works in England now and how much notice a tenant must give.
Sources
- Assured periodic tenancies, a guide for landlords: rent increases, GOV.UK
- Housing Act 1988, section 13, legislation.gov.uk
- Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, section 22
- Private residential tenancy easy read notes, rent increases, Scottish Government
- Tenant rights and protections, Scottish Government
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, section 123
- Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, section 7
- Private rent and tenancies, nidirect
Facts checked on 25 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.