Unions launch online tool to challenge rent increases through first-tier tribunals See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ED MAGNUS, SENIOR THIS IS MONEY REPORTER Updated: 14:23 BST, 4 June 2026
A group of rental vigilantes are encouraging tenants to challenge landlords over rent hikes and take full advantage of new rules that came into force on 1 May.A coalition of tenants' unions have launched a new campaign 'Resist Rent Rises' with a website and free tool to help renters challenge rents at tribunal.Since the Renters' Rights Act came into force last month, landlords are restricted to one rent increase a year and cannot raise rents in the first 12 months of a new tenancy.The rent increase must be issued with a two month written notice period and it must be in line with local market rents using a Form 4A.If a tenant thinks the proposed increase is above market rate, they can challenge it at the first-tier tribunal. Under the new law, renters can also challenge their rent, regardless of any increase, at the tribunal within six months of moving into a property. New campaign: Just a month after new rules, tenants are being encouraged to challenge rent risesThe new campaign states on its website: 'By challenging rent rises at the tribunal, we help build the movement for rent controls by showing renters won't put up with unaffordable rent rises.'Rent increases can be challenged through something called a 'Rent Tribunal' - where you can argue that the rent your landlord wishes to charge is too high given the condition of the property and comparable local rents on the open market. 'At the moment, these are barely used, with only 557 market rent decisions published in 2024.'Thanks to tireless campaigning on housing affordability and security, tenants unions in the UK have won new and stronger rights in the Rent Tribunal system, and better protections from evictions.'The website offers renters the ability to get involved in the campaign by joining a tenants union.The campaign also invites all tenants to share their rental costs using its free online tool - even if their landlord has not hiked rents.It says: 'We're researching rental costs across the UK to understand what 'market rent' actually is.'Even if your landlord isn't raising your rent, sharing your rental costs will help others.'Rent tribunals can save you money even if you loseThe campaign is also implying that renters should challenge rent increases even if they think they will lose.This is because any challenge will delay the implementation of the rent hike at the cost of a potential £47 fee.On the website it says: 'Even if you lose, by taking your rent increase to tribunal, you put off paying the higher rent until the tribunal has made a decision.'That means if you challenge a £100 per month rent rise and it takes two months for your rent tribunal case to be heard, you save £200 (minus a £47 court fee if those apply to you) even if the rent tribunal decides the rent your landlord is proposing is 'market rent'. 'If you win and the rent rise is reversed, your landlord cannot increase your rent for another year which would save you £1,200.'Evidence of disrepair, poor conditions and of comparably lower rents in your neighbourhood will help you to win the tribunal. 'This can mean reducing the increase, keeping your rent the same as it is now, or in some cases even lowering it below what you pay at the moment.'Ashley Osborne, founder of buy-to-let platform, Lexit thinks landlords should be very concerned by movements such as this. 'The Renters' Rights Act is about to make Section 13 rent reviews a nightmare for landlords,' says Osborne.'Expect delays, tribunal challenges, and a long, slow fight every single time you try to increase rent. 'In a weak economy with stagnant wages, pushing rents up is only going to get harder, while your costs keep climbing. 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