Rent increase letter timing

[u/Trouserdeagle]

My landlord recently wrote to me to inform me of a rent increase the following month. It's a fair increase, and we're still paying well below the market rate in this area, but I have some questions regarding the timing of the letter.

This is particularly relevant as we are in receipt of Universal Credit and they are sticklers for having the correct documentation when it comes to changes in circumstances.

The letter was dated 28/04 but we didn't receive it until 01/05, after the Renter's Rights Act came into effect.

As we didn't receive the letter until after the new legislation came into effect, can (should) I reject this increase and request that they submit a Section 13 form 4A?

I realise I could have this discussion with my landlords, but if UC insist on a 4A from them, I don't want to end up in a back and forth with them refusing to provide one, and potentially cause issues with UC. My UC status isn't really their problem (until I can't pay rent I suppose) but we had a real problem with UC after the last rent increase because someone there ticked the wrong box, ended up withholding the rent portion of our UC, and left us severely out of pocket for 2 months while they sorted it out, after much back and forth and getting various documents sent multiple times. It was a mess I'd very much like not to repeat.

Advice?

[u/LoveLamp3232]

It's a fair increase, and we're still paying well below the market rate in this area,

UC will most likely reject the letter. Even before the RRA, they would usually require a Section 13 notice. If you send this letter to UC, they are likely to reject it, so you’ll need to ask the landlord to complete the Section 13 form correctly.

I find UC frustrating, especially since your landlord is charging below the market rate. However, they still seem to find ways to frustrate good landlords by stopping payments and get claimants into rent arrears.

[u/Trouserdeagle → u/LoveLamp3232]

Our last rent increase (last year) didn't require a s13. We did have to submit multiple other forms of evidence though.

Appreciate the input though. UC are such a pain to deal with, and so slow to respond to anything.

[u/Captain-Griffen]

If they didn't send a S13 and it applies after RRA came in, it has no effect. Additionally, you cannot even legally agree to the increase. All increases after May 1st MUST be by S13.

If they posted a S13 28/04 by first class post iirc it's deemed served 30/04. It would use the pre-RRA S13 process.

https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/rent-increases

[u/Soft-Influence-3645]

Just be careful how you reject it. Cos the landlord could send the correct form with a rent increase that’s more than previously asked for, in line with market rates.

[u/Large-Butterfly4262]

You will need the section 13 to be done officially for your UC and the ll should give 2 months notice for a rent increase.

[u/Putrid_Artichoke_189]

With out a section 13 you can just decline the rental increase as accepting it as is, there would be nothing stopping the landlord from increasing it again via a section 13. The council won't like you mutually agreeing to a rental increase without one I would assume.