Form 4A explained

Question by question

1.1 Name(s) of tenant(s)

Every tenant on the tenancy. The form's note says: 'If it is a joint tenancy, provide the names of each of the tenants.' The Housing Act 1988 treats 'the tenant' as all joint tenants together (s45(3)).

1.2 Address of the premises

The address of the rented home.

2.1 to 2.3 Landlord's name and contact details

So the tenant can reach someone about the increase. Phone and email are optional, but if the landlord gives an email address, the form says the tenant and the tribunal may use it to serve documents on the landlord.

3.1 to 3.3 Agent

Only if an agent acts for the landlord. The same email note applies.

4.1 Current rent

The rent now, and how often it is paid. The form's note says the period must be a month or less (since 1 May 2026, rent periods longer than a month have no effect: Housing Act 1988 s4A).

4.2 The tenancy started on

The start date of the tenancy. It fixes the first-year rule: the first increase cannot start until 52 weeks after the first rent period began.

4.3 The most recent rent increase was on

Left blank if there has been no increase since the tenancy started.

4.4 First rent increase after 11 February 2003

Needed to show whether 52 or 53 weeks must pass since the last increase (see Note A3 below). Left blank if there has been no increase by notice or tribunal since that date.

4.5 Proposed new rent

The new rent and how often it is paid, which must match the tenancy period.

4.6 The new rent will start on

The date that has to satisfy all three requirements in Note A. Most invalid notices go wrong here.

4.7 Charges included in the rent

Council tax, water, electricity, gas or other fuel, communication services and fixed service charges, but only where they are included in the rent and not paid separately. Variable service charges are left out (Note B).

Signature

Signed by the landlord or the landlord's agent, by hand or electronically. Joint landlords either each sign or agree that one signs on behalf of all.

Note A: when the new rent can start

The date in question 4.6 must meet all three requirements. They come from section 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988, as amended in 2003 and by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Fifty-two weeks is 364 days, one day short of a year (two in a leap year). GOV.UK's guides simplify this to "once a year"; for a monthly tenancy the answer is the same, because the next rent period starts on the same date anyway.

Mistakes that can make a notice invalid

• A start date less than two months after the tenant received the notice (count from delivery, not from posting).
• A start date that is not the first day of a rent period, for example the 1st when rent is due on the 15th.
• An increase within 52 weeks of the tenancy starting or of the last increase.
• Using the old Form 4, which is now the form for social housing, for a private tenancy.
• Leaving a joint tenant's name off the notice.
• Sending it only by email when the tenancy agreement does not allow notices by email.
• Not signing it.

GOV.UK's guidance lists what a valid notice must do: give at least two months' notice, not increase the rent within 52 weeks of the last increase, start the increase on the correct date, include the correct details, and be on the correct form and signed by the landlord. Only the tribunal can decide that a notice is invalid.

What the form tells the tenant

Section 5 of the form explains the tenant's choices. To accept, pay the new rent from the start date and update any standing order, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit claim. To challenge, act before the start date: agree a change with the landlord in writing, or refer the rent to the tribunal, which must receive the application before that date. The form says the tribunal decides the open-market rent, that "you will not be required to pay more than the rent the landlord first proposed", and that "you do not have to pay the new rent amount until the tribunal has made its decision".

The form links to an older GOV.UK address for the tribunal guidance, which now redirects to Apply for an open market rent determination.

Common questions

Sources

• GOV.UK, Form 4A: Landlord's notice proposing a new rent (05.26), on the Assured tenancy forms page
• S.I. 2026/354, regulation 3 (Form 4A is the prescribed form for private assured tenancies)
• Housing Act 1988, section 13 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.6, from 1 May 2026)
• Housing Act 1988, section 45(3) (joint landlords and joint tenants)
• Housing Act 1988, section 4A (rent periods of a month or less)
• S.I. 2026/421, regulation 8 (notices served before 1 May 2026)
• GOV.UK, Assured periodic tenancies: a guide for landlords, Rent increases
• GOV.UK, Apply for an open market rent determination (updated 10 August 2026)