What the rules actually require before you raise the rent

Rent increases are one of the most common flashpoints between tenants and landlords, and in a city like Bath — where demand consistently outstrips supply — it pays to get the process right rather than rely on goodwill. The days of simply sending a friendly text saying "the rent will be £1,350 from next month" are long gone.

For most existing tenancies, a rent increase must follow the statutory procedure. In practice this means:

• A formal written rent increase notice using the prescribed form, not an email or a verbal conversation.
• A minimum notice period — currently two months in most cases — before the new rent takes effect.
• No more than one increase in any twelve-month period.
• The proposed rent must be in line with open market value for a comparable property in the same area and condition.

Recent reforms have also changed the shape of tenancies themselves. Most new lets now run periodically from the outset rather than as fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies, which means rent increases are tied to the statutory timetable rather than to a renewal date. If you are unsure how the rules apply to your particular agreement, check the latest government guidance or take advice from a regulated professional before serving anything.

Working out a fair market rent in Bath

"Fair" is not a feeling — it is a number you can evidence. Landlords who can show their workings find conversations far easier, and tenants who understand the local market negotiate from a stronger position.

Start with genuine comparables: similar size, similar condition, similar location. A two-bedroom flat off Wells Road is not comparable to a two-bedroom apartment in a converted Georgian building on Great Pulteney Street. Look at:

• Current asking rents on the main property portals for the same postcode district.
• What similar properties have actually achieved, not just what they were advertised at.
• Condition, energy efficiency, parking, garden, and whether the property is furnished or unfurnished.
• Local factors such as proximity to the Royal United Hospital, the two universities, or the station.

A well-insulated home with a good EPC rating commands more, and that gap will widen as minimum energy efficiency standards tighten — a proposed EPC C threshold for rented homes is on the horizon, so spending on insulation may be a better investment than chasing the last £50 a month.

How landlords can serve notice and break the news well

Timing matters as much as paperwork. Serving a rent increase notice in the week before Christmas, or in the middle of exam season for a student let, invites resentment even when the figure is entirely justified.

Give context before you give the number. A short, clear message explaining that the rent is being reviewed, what the new figure is, when it starts, and how you arrived at it sets a far better tone than a bare form through the post. The formal notice still has to follow — that is your legal protection — but the covering message is what protects the relationship.

Where the tenant has been reliable, has looked after the property, and pays on time, it is worth saying so. Most landlords would rather keep a good tenant at a slightly lower rent than spend six weeks with a void, redecoration costs and a letting fee.

What tenants can do if the increase looks too high

You are not obliged to accept a rent increase without question. If the proposed figure is above genuine market value for a comparable Bath property, you can:

• Ask for the comparables the landlord has used, in writing.
• Put forward your own evidence — screenshots of similar listings, details of condition issues, or a dated inventory.
• Propose a smaller increase, a staged increase over two years, or a longer tenancy in exchange for a lower figure.
• Refer the notice to the appropriate tribunal, which can decide what the market rent should be. There is a strict deadline for this, so act quickly.

Keep everything in writing, including any phone call follow-ups. A calm, evidence-led email gets a much better result than an emotional one, and it creates a record if the matter escalates.

Keeping the relationship workable

Good tenancies are built on predictability. Landlords who review rent annually, communicate early, and keep the property in decent repair rarely face disputes. Tenants who report issues promptly, pay on time, and flag concerns before they become grievances tend to be offered renewal terms first.

If money is genuinely tight, say so early. A tenant who explains a change in circumstances may find a landlord willing to phase an increase; a tenant who simply stops paying will not.

Records, timing and avoiding disputes

Whatever is agreed, confirm it in writing and keep a copy. Diarise the notice dates so you never accidentally serve two increases inside twelve months — a mistake that can invalidate the increase entirely and leave you out of pocket.

Above all, treat the rent review as a conversation with a legal framework around it, not a transaction. In a city where the private rented sector is competitive and turnover is expensive, a fair, well-documented, professionally handled increase is nearly always the cheaper option in the long run.