Document text
Date: [DD MONTH YYYY]
Sent by [E-MAIL / RECORDED DELIVERY / HAND] — please confirm receipt
To:
[LANDLORD'S FULL NAME OR COMPANY]
[c/o LETTING AGENT, IF ANY]
[ADDRESS FOR SERVICE OF NOTICES]
From:
[TENANT'S FULL NAME(S)]
[ADDRESS OF THE PROPERTY YOU RENT]
[PHONE] · [E-MAIL]
Subject: Your notice of rent increase (Form 4A) dated [DATE] — [ADDRESS OF THE PROPERTY]
Dear [NAME],
I received your notice proposing a new rent under section 13 of the Housing Act 1988.
1. The notice
Item Details
Date the notice was served on me [DATE] — [HOW: BY HAND / POST / E-MAIL]
Current rent £[AMOUNT] per [MONTH / WEEK]
Proposed new rent £[AMOUNT] per [MONTH / WEEK]
Increase £[AMOUNT] ([PERCENT]%)
Date the new rent is meant to start [DATE]
Date of the last rent increase [DATE / NONE SINCE THE TENANCY BEGAN ON (DATE)]
2. Why I do not accept the proposed rent
[KEEP THE POINTS THAT APPLY, DELETE THE OTHERS]
The proposed rent is above the market rent for a property like mine. Comparable properties nearby are let for about £[AMOUNT] per [MONTH]: [ADDRESSES OR LISTING LINKS].
The condition of the property is relevant: [E.G. DAMP IN THE BEDROOM REPORTED ON (DATE), BROKEN BOILER, NO REPAIRS SINCE (DATE)].
The notice may not be valid: [E.G. THE START DATE IS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER I RECEIVED IT / IT IS LESS THAN 52 WEEKS SINCE MY LAST INCREASE / IT IS NOT ON THE PRESCRIBED FORM].
3. What I propose
1. I offer to pay £[AMOUNT] per [MONTH / WEEK] from [DATE], instead of the amount in your notice. If we agree, please confirm in writing.
2. If we cannot agree before [START DATE IN THE NOTICE], I will apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide the rent, as the law allows me to do before the new rent starts.
3. Until then I will keep paying my current rent of £[AMOUNT] on time.
I understand that the tribunal cannot set a rent higher than the rent you proposed (Housing Act 1988, section 14ZB).
Please reply by [DATE — AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE THE START DATE].
Yours sincerely,
______________________________
[TENANT'S FULL NAME(S)]
Attachments:
1. Copy of your notice (Form 4A) and how it reached me.
2. Comparable rents: [LISTINGS / SCREENSHOTS WITH DATES].
3. Photos or reports about the condition of the property, if relevant.
BEFORE SENDING — delete this part
The tribunal application, not this letter, stops the increase. If you want the tribunal to decide, apply before the start date written in the notice. This letter is for negotiating and for your record.
New tenancy? If your tenancy began less than six months ago, you can also ask the tribunal to look at the rent itself.
England only. Wales and Scotland have different rent rules.
Keep paying your current rent while the challenge is open.
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