Rent increase for long-term tenants – new S13 form 4a?
I am due to give my tenants a rent increase soon, using the new Section 13 form 4a. The tenants have been in the property since 2014, during which time we have signed several tenancy agreements. The last time we signed a new contract, and increased the rent at the same time, was August last year, so I want to get the form 4a to them in time to come into effect on the anniversary.
As the form is the only way to do a rent increase now, and mistakes can incur major penalties, I want to get this right. However, the gov in their infinite wisdom has not used this opportunity to make the process clearer and more obvious!
Q4.2 “The tenancy started on…” Is this the date the tenants moved in 12 years ago, or the date of the start of the most recent contract?
Q4.3 “The most recent increase (if applicable) was on…” Is this the last time I increased the rent (last August), or do I leave this blank, since there has been no increase during the most recent contract period?
Q4.4 “Give the date of the first rent increase after 11 February 2003.” Again, does this apply to the first time these tenants ever paid a higher rent than when they moved in (around 10 years ago), or does it apply only to the most recent contract, in which case I’d leave it blank? On the old S13 form, this was generally accepted to mean the last time you increased the rent (even though it says the first…?!), but that is now covered by Q4.3.
Any help/clarification gratefully received.
Jenny
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Buy to let lenders cut mortgage rates and launch new products
Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3455 - Articles: 286
9:28 AM, 2nd June 2026, About 2 hours ago
For Question 4.2, “The tenancy started on…”, landlords would normally enter the date the tenancy originally began, assuming the same tenants have remained in occupation throughout. A replacement tenancy agreement does not usually create a completely new tenancy history for Section 13 purposes.
For Question 4.3, “The most recent increase…”, enter the date the rent was last increased. If the rent was increased when the latest agreement was signed in August last year, that is likely the date to use.
Question 4.4 has caused confusion for many years because of its wording. Historically, on the previous Section 13 notice, landlords generally entered the date of the last rent increase rather than trying to identify the very first increase after February 2003.
Given the potential consequences of errors under the new regime, it would also be sensible to keep a clear audit trail showing the original tenancy start date, previous rent increases, and copies of all tenancy agreements.