For years, rent review clauses gave landlords a sense of certainty. Rent increases were written into the tenancy agreement, applied annually, and often treated as routine. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, that approach has come to an end.
Rent review clauses are no longer permitted. Instead, landlords must now follow a single statutory process when increasing rent, one that is more structured, more transparent, and more closely scrutinised by local councils.
This shift is not just a technical legal change. It affects how landlords plan rental income, communicate with tenants, and protect themselves from disputes and enforcement action. Understanding how Section 13 works and how to use it correctly is now essential.
Related: The Renters’ Rights Act: A New Era for Landlords and Tenants
Why have rent review clauses been removed
Rent review clauses previously allowed landlords to outline how and when rent would rise, often annually or in line with market conditions. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, these clauses have been removed to create a more consistent and transparent system for tenants.
The intention behind the change is to ensure:
- Greater clarity around rent increases
- A fairer, more predictable process for tenants
- Clear limits on how often rent can be increased
By removing rent review clauses, the legislation shifts rent increases away from private contractual terms and into a regulated framework that applies across the sector.
What Section 13 means in practice
With rent review clauses no longer allowed, Section 13 of the Housing Act is now the only lawful mechanism for increasing rent during a tenancy.
In practical terms, this means:
- Rent can usually only be increased once per year
- A formal Section 13 notice must be served
- The correct minimum notice period must be given
- The proposed rent must reflect local market levels
Tenants can challenge a proposed increase if they believe it is above market value. At that point, the burden shifts to the landlord to demonstrate that the increase is fair and justified, making preparation and evidence more important than ever.
The growing role of local councils
Local councils play a much more visible role in enforcement under the Renters’ Rights Act. If landlords attempt to rely on banned rent review clauses or serve Section 13 notices incorrectly, local councils have the power to investigate and take enforcement action.
Local councils are also expected to be more proactive, using complaints, inspections, and shared intelligence to identify non-compliance. This makes accuracy, record-keeping, and consistency essential when reviewing rent.
What must landlords change in their approach?
Because enforcement is increasing, landlords need to rethink how they plan and apply rent increases.
Rather than relying on automatic annual uplifts, landlords should now:
- Plan rent reviews strategically, not routinely
- Track local market rents throughout the year
- Clearly justify increases using comparable evidence
- Build compliance into annual planning, rather than reacting late
This approach not only reduces the risk of disputes but also helps landlords respond confidently if local councils scrutinise their practices.
Why professional support matters more than ever
Serving a Section 13 notice incorrectly can delay a rent increase, undermine landlord’s credibility, and expose landlords to enforcement action. As the Renters’ Rights Act reshapes expectations across the private rented sector, professional guidance has become increasingly valuable.
At Northwood, we support landlords by:
- Ensuring rent increases are compliant with the Renters’ Rights Act
- Assessing proposed rents against real local market data
- Managing notices, timing, and communication
- Drawing on local knowledge of how local councils operate
This helps landlords apply rent increases with confidence, clarity, and consistency.
Related: Arrears, voids & legal drags: The case for Guaranteed Rent
Getting rent increases right under the Renters’ Rights Act
Rent review clauses are now a thing of the past. Section 13 is the future, and understanding how to use it properly is essential for protecting rental income while staying compliant.
With the right planning, evidence, and professional support, Section 13 can still facilitate fair and sustainable rent increases under the Renters’ Rights Act.
If you are unsure whether your current approach is compliant, Northwood can help you review your tenancy strategy and plan future rent reviews with confidence.
