FAQs

Got a Question?

We’re here to provide you with the information and support you need to navigate the world of property management and tenancy in the South West region. Members get access to our comprehensive FAQ’s area, but here you will find examples of the kind of content you’ll have access to as an SWLA member.

What administration do I need to complete when I take over as a tenant’s landlord?

Section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 requires a tenant to be provided with an address where notices can be served on the landlord.

Section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1995 requires a notice to be served by the ‘new’ landlord to inform the tenant that the old landlord’s interest has been assigned. The ‘new’ landlord should send this notice as soon as possible but it must be done within 2 months of the property transfer.

For simplicity, we have combined the information required to cover both Section 48 and Section 3. Inform tenants of the following in writing:

Date that your landlord responsibilities commence (date of the transfer)
Tenant/tenants names and tenancy address
Former landlord’s name/names
New landlord’s name/names, address, email and telephone number
New landlord’s bank details for rent payments to be sent
Sign and date

*note, this also applies to tenancies where a landlords transfers the property from sole ownership to a limited company

Information links to read:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/housing_options/private_renting/tenants_right_to_information_about_a_landlords_identity

I would like to increase my tenant’s rent, how can I do this?

You can only increase the rent once a year. You will not be able to increase the rent in the first year of the tenancy.

You should first discuss any rent increase with your tenant to make sure it’s suitable for both parties.

You will need to complete form 4A: Landlord’s notice proposing a new rent. The form includes guidance on how to use it to tell your tenant you’re increasing the rent.

You must give notice to your tenant by giving them the completed form at least 2 months before you want the rent increase to start. This is known as the ‘section 13 process’.

You need to follow the section 13 process every time you increase the rent, even if you have already agreed the increase with your tenants.

You can give your tenant notice in the following ways:

in person
by post
by email (if that’s allowed in the tenancy agreement)

If your tenant thinks the rent increase is higher than the ‘open market rent’ they can ask the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) to decide what the new rent should be. The open market rent is the rent that you would expect to receive if you were to relet the property on the open market.

If you gave notice of a rent increase before 1 May 2026

If you used form 4 to give notice of a rent increase before 1 May 2026, the notice period and rent increase stated in the form will still apply. This is true even if the new rent starts after 1 May 2026.

If your tenant thinks that the rent is above the open market rent, they can still challenge it by going to the First-tier Tribunal.

You cannot increase the rent until at least a year after the last increase took effect, even if the last increase took effect before 1 May 2026. This applies if you either:

increased the rent by giving your tenant notice using form 4
used a rent review clause in the tenancy agreement to increase the rent

Example

You gave your tenant notice that their rent will be increased from 1 February 2026.

The next rent increase cannot come into effect until 1 February 2027.

If you gave notice using a rent review clause

If the increase was agreed before 1 May 2026 but takes effect after 1 May 2026, the increase will not apply.

Information links to read regarding rent increases:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_increases

Assured periodic tenancies: a guide for landlords: Rent increases – GOV.UK

Member's Area FAQs

Become a member to gain access to our full member’s FAQ area, plus a host of other benefits.