Guide for private landlords - 3. Rent, deposits and rent increases

Your current obligations:

• protect all deposits in a Government-approved scheme within 30 days
• provide the tenant with prescribed information about the deposit
• follow the Tenant Fees Act 2019 - no additional or hidden fees

Rent increases:

At present you may increase rent:

• at the end of a fixed term by agreement, or
• during a periodic tenancy using a valid Section 13 notice

The upcoming legislation proposes that rent can only be raised:

• once per year, with two months’ notice, and
• subject to challenge at a tribunal if deemed excessive
• it will also ban “rent bidding”, where tenants are asked to offer above the advertised price

Good practice:

Keep rent levels reasonable, transparent, and supported by evidence of local market rates.