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Government announce fee for tenants appealing rent increases
9:09 AM, 26th March 2026, 1 month ago
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The government has claimed it “wants to ensure justice is protected for all” after announcing a £47 fee for tenants challenging a rent increase through the first-tier property tribunal.
In a written question, Justice Minister Sarah Sackman confirmed that the government has put forward legislation to begin implementing a new fees framework in the Property Chamber.
The news comes after a tenant group slammed the government over the fees tenants must pay to access rent tribunals.
£47 for applications to appeal a rent increase
In a written question, Labour MP Kerry McCarthy asked: “What the Ministry of Justice has made of the potential impact of extending courts and tribunal fees to challenging Section 13 rent increases through the First-Tier Tribunal on the number of rent increase challenges.”
In response, Ms Sackman confirmed under proposed legislation tenants would pay £47 with no hearing fee for applications to appeal a rent increase.
She said: “The Ministry of Justice keeps all fees under continuous review to ensure that His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has the resources necessary to operate fairly and efficiently, while ensuring access to justice is protected for all.
“The government has laid legislation to begin the process of implementing a new fees framework in the Property Chamber. The purpose of the new framework is to deliver a fair and sustainable Property Chamber that is accessible to all. The framework includes a fee of £47 for applications to appeal a rent increase, with no hearing fee, this is one of the lowest fees across HMCTS.
“The Help with Fees scheme will always be available to provide financial support to those who cannot afford to pay fees. In 2024/25, we remitted £91 million of fees income to protect access to justice. The changes are subject to Parliamentary consent.”
Landlords in limbo
As previously reported by Property118, under the Renters’ Rights Act, any rent increase upheld by the tribunal would take effect only from the date of its decision, rather than when the landlord first served notice. This means that even unsuccessful challenges could delay higher rent payments for months, leaving landlords in limbo.
Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and head of civil justice in England and Wales, warned the Housing Law Practitioners’ Association that the rules under the Renters’ Rights Act could create “an incentive for tenants to apply to the First Tier Tribunal in respect of every increase in order to delay its implementation”.
Tags:
First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber, Ministry of Justice, Rent increase, rent increase challenge, Renters’ Rights Act
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
1:27 PM, 27th March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ryan Stevens at 26/03/2026 – 14:31
,,or if the property is just left empty.
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 766
1:47 PM, 27th March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Tim Peters at 26/03/2026 – 13:40
If it takes 14 months to get to tribunal, you may have another section 13 annual increase served. How would that work?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2002 - Articles: 21
11:55 AM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
As has been noted, it is a one-way bet for tenants to challenge any increase, not just “unreasonable” (in most cases to market rent) increases.
One small thing landlords can do, when interviewing prospective tenants and taking up references, is to ask: “Did the tenant challenge a rent increase? If so, please give details.” This will help sift out some of the chancers and may justify refusing a tenant who challenged a modest increase in order to delay implementation. It will also send a message to tenants who game the system that there may be consequences.
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 70
12:05 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 31/03/2026 – 11:55
That is a good idea and will help in 2 years time (as at present there is no way to have challenged it) but by then the courts will be in meltdown
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 766
4:49 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 31/03/2026 – 11:55
That sounds like a good idea, but the scallies will simply lie about it
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 351
4:53 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by JB at 31/03/2026 – 16:49
Hopefully previous landlords will not lie about it!
Member Since June 2014 - Comments: 1564
5:12 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 31/03/2026 – 11:55
One small thing landlords can do, when interviewing prospective tenants and taking up references, is to ask: “Did the tenant challenge a rent increase? If so, please give details.”
The decisions are listed here. Go to ‘Residential property decisions’, tick the ‘rents’ category’ and search the prospective tenant’s name;
https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/tribunal-decisions/
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 351
5:29 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 31/03/2026 – 17:12
Interesting – I see that one decision allowed rent to be backdated to the date that the landlord increased (doubled!) it in June 2025.
That will not be happening under RRA! It will probably take a year to get heard by a tribunal and then the rent increase only takes effect from the decision date.
So, essential to search the register going forwards.
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 70
5:52 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Ryan Stevens at 31/03/2026 – 17:29
You are probably not allowed to discriminate against someone for taking their landlord to a tribunal 🙄
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 766
8:19 PM, 31st March 2026, About 4 weeks ago
…and if you put the rent up and the tenant doesn’t pay the new rate and doesn’t go to Tribunal … can the LL take the tenant to tribunal or do you have to wait til they owe you 3xnew monthly rent and serve a section 8?