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England

Rents and rent increases

The definition of rent and different rules governing rent control, including fair and market rents.

This content applies to England
  • What rent covers

    Rent is a regular payment to a landlord by an occupier for the use of premises and may include water or service charges under the agreement.

  • Payment of rent

    Tenants must pay rent to landlords or their agent weekly or monthly and avoid rent arrears, or risk possession proceedings or money judgement

  • Payments after tenancy ends

    Payments made by the former tenant after a tenancy has ended but while the tenant is still in residence as a trespasser

  • Rent increases for private tenants

    Private landlords of assured and assured shorthold tenants can increase the amount of rent if conditions in the tenancy agreement or the Housing Act 1988 are met.  

  • Statutory rules for assured and assured shorthold tenants

    Landlords can use a procedure set out in section 13 Housing Act 1988 to increase the rent for assured and assured shorthold tenants.

  • Local authority rent and rent increases

    Local authorities charge their tenants reasonable rents to ensure that similar rents are paid for similar properties and periodically review rent levels

  • How fair rents are determined

    Fair rents for regulated and secure tenants are determined by rent officers. There is a formula for calculating the maximum fair rent.

  • Fair rent registration process

    Rules for how landlord or tenant can apply to register a fair rent for a property let under a regulated or secure tenancy.

  • Affordable rent tenancies

    Near-market rent of up to 80 per cent of market rent which some providers of social housing can charge, and criteria for allocation

  • PRPSH rent levels

    Private registered providers of social housing (PRPSHs) charge rents in accordance with the Rent Standard to ensure similar rents for similar properties