Form 4A
The prescribed government form for a section 13 notice proposing a new rent on a private assured tenancy in England.
In short: Form 4A is the official form a private landlord in England must use to propose a rent increase under section 13. It states the current rent, the new rent and the date it starts, and tells the tenant how to challenge it. Form 4 is for social housing.
England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
The form is on GOV.UK with the other assured tenancy forms. To work, it must be:
- the current version, completed in full;
- served with at least two months' notice;
- set to start at the beginning of a rent period;
- the only increase in the last twelve months.
It tells the tenant they can apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the start date if they think the new rent is above the market. If they do nothing, the new rent applies from the date on the form.
Keep proof of how and when it was given.
Read more: How to raise the rent (once a year, section 13)
Related: Section 13 notice, Form 3A
Where this comes from
Guides on this
Guide
How to raise the rent (once a year, section 13)
In England you can raise the rent once every twelve months, by a section 13 notice on the prescribed form with two months' notice. Here is the procedure and what the tenant can do about it.
Guide
What to do when a tenant stops paying rent
Rent arrears in England: check the facts, talk early, agree a plan in writing and keep records. If it cannot be solved, possession is by section 8 notice and a court order only. Never change the locks.
Guide
Rent in advance and rent bidding: what the Renters’ Rights Act allows
Since 1 May 2026 you cannot take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, can take at most one month's rent before it starts, and cannot invite or accept offers above the rent you advertised.
Template
Rent increase: how to complete Form 4A, with a covering note
In England a rent increase needs the official section 13 form, Form 4A, once a year with at least two months' notice. How to complete and serve it, and a short covering note to send with it. The form itself comes from GOV.UK.
Related terms
Glossary
First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
The tribunal that decides many housing disputes in England: challenged rent increases, rent repayment orders, banned fees, licensing appeals and leasehold service charges.
Glossary
Joint and several liability
When people rent a home together on one tenancy, each of them is responsible for the whole rent and the whole of the tenancy, not just their share.
Glossary
Rent in advance
Rent paid before the tenancy starts. Since 1 May 2026 a landlord in England can take no more than one month's rent before the tenancy is entered into.
Glossary
Rent period
The interval the rent is paid for, such as a month or a week. Since 1 May 2026 a private assured tenancy can only have periods of a month or 28 days or less.
Glossary
Section 13 notice
The only way to raise the rent on a private assured tenancy in England: a notice on Form 4A, at most once a year, with at least two months' notice.