From 2026, there will only be a maximum rent increase for social housing; private landlords have no legal limit on how much they can increase rent but can only do it once per year.
There are many new rules being introduced from 2026 affecting landlords or tenants, many of which are calling for fairer tenant practices and more rights for tenants.
If you’re a landlord trying to keep up with changing laws, we can help. At J Property Management London, we support landlords in London and the rest of the UK – from legal compliance to tenant support.
Get in touch today to see how we can help you!
How Much Can Landlords Increase Rent In 2026?
Private landlords have no legal limit on maximum rent increase, even with the new laws coming in for 2026. However, it is always advised that landlords raise rent prices fairly. That means, any price hikes should reflect market prices.
Landlords must also follow the correct legal process in order to increase the rent, otherwise they could land themselves in trouble.
However, one of the main changes to note is that from 2026, landlords will only be able to increase rent once every 12 months.
Are There Situations Where Landlords Cannot Increase Rent?
Landlords can always increase the rent but may be limited by how, when or how much.
For example, private landlords have more flexibility when it comes to increasing rent – they can propose any amount of rent increase – but can only increase the rent once a year, as of 2026.
Landlords for social housing are restricted by a maximum limit on how much they can increase rent which the must follow.
For landlords of any regulated or protected tenants, they will be subject to specific rent controls – even in a private tenancy.
You should be able to find information about rent reviews (e.g. the correct process, the frequency and the amount) in your tenancy agreement.
When Can Landlords Increase The Rent?
Landlords can propose a rent increase at any time – even after the introduction of the new laws in 2026.
However, in accordance with the new laws, not only are landlords limited to one rent increase per year, but tenants are given more opportunity to negotiate or refuse the rent increase.
Previously, tenants could disagree with the proposed rent increase but landlords could opt to evict them with a Section 21 notice. As of 2026, this type of eviction is banned. Landlords will only be able to evict tenants if they have breached the terms of the tenancy agreement through things like property damage or missed payments.
As a result, tenants will now have more negotiating power when it comes to discussing rent increases.
Is It A Good Idea For Landlords To Increase Rent?
Yes and no, it depends what your strategy is. As a landlord, increasing rent can seem logical if you’re trying to maximise your rental income; however, it can easily backfire if you set it too high, potentially leading to a vacant property and a lower rental income.
This will also depend if you’re operating with long-lease rentals or renting out your property on a short-term basis.
If you’re renting out to tenants for longer periods of time, it is sometimes wise to increase rent only minimally as a way of retaining good tenants and avoiding any void periods for your property.
Rent increases can be a difficult balancing act and it can be hard to know the best course of action. Working with a property management company like J Property Management could help you set an appropriate rent increase, ensure that the process is done correctly and minimise risk of tenancy disputes or void periods.
How Can Landlords Propose A Rent Increase After 2026?
As of 1 May 2026, landlords will need to follow a more formal process in order to propose a rent increase. They’ll need to use the Section 13 rent increase procedure.
This involves:
- Only one rent proposed rent increase within a 12-month period
- Rent increases proposed only to periodic tenancies (not during a fixed-term tenancy)
- Giving a minimum of two months’ notice before the next rent starts
- Proposing a rent increase that reflects market rent
- Official written notice via the official form and delivered by first-class post or in person.
From 2026 onwards, the procedure for increasing rent will be much stricter; a missed deadline or wrong form could end up invalidating the entire process. As a result, many landlords choose to seek help from a professional property management company who can ensure that the process is carried out correctly from start to finish.
How To Increase Rent In 2026 Without Losing Tenants
Rent increases require a delicate balance – set the price too low and you could impact rental yield, set the price too high and risk losing your tenants. With tenants having more rights from 2026, they are more likely to try and negotiate or reject the proposed rental increase.
If you have good tenants and want to keep them, while still making a profit, we suggest the following tips:
- Demonstrate that the rent increase you’re proposing reflects market value (e.g. show them examples of similar properties in the area for your proposed rent price)
- Showcase any work or home improvements that justify an increase in rent
- Communicate far in advance so that tenants aren’t caught out by the formal serving of the rent increase
- Keep your tenants happy with good tenant support, promptly carried out repairs and safe, clean living conditions
- Prioritise long-term relationships with good tenants over short-term gain.
Maximise Rent Increase Success With J Property Management
Using a reliable property management company like J Property Management can help landlords when setting a rent increase.
Not only will it ensure that the process is carried out legally, we can also help you increase the likelihood that your tenants will agree to the increase – thus maximising your rental yield.
Our property management services are designed to keep landlords and tenants satisfied – from being on call 24/7 to carrying out regular property maintenance, we’re committed to making your property a place where tenants want to stay.
If you need some extra help with the new landlord obligations being introduced this year, contact us today to see how we can help.
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