Rent Increases

Contents

1. I live in private student halls or University halls, can my landlord increase my rent?
2. I live in private accommodation, can my landlord increase my rent?
3. How much can my landlord apply to increase my rent by?
4. How much notices does my landlord need to provide me with?
5. I think my landlord has served me with an invalid rent increase notice,what can I do?

I live in private student halls or University halls, can my landlord increase my rent?

If you live in private student halls or University halls then no, your landlord cannot increase your rent as you will likely have signed a fixed term contract with them for the academic year. This means your rent for that period cannot be increased. 

I live in private accommodation, can my landlord increase my rent?

If you live in private accommodation which you rent from a letting agent or landlord and have a private residential tenancy, the short answer is yes.

Your landlord can increase your rent at any time during the first year of the tenancy.

After you've been living in the property for a year the landlord can then only increase the rent once every 12 months.

We have more information and advice below on the steps your landlord must follow if they wish to  either increase your rent and what you can do to potentially challenge a rent increase.

How much can my landlord apply to increase my rent by?

After 31st March 2025, there is no limit on the amount your landlord can attempt to increase your rent by. This means that your landlord can try and impose whatever rent increase they believe is reasonable.

How much notices does my landlord need to provide me with?

If you receive notification from your landlord that they wish to increase your rent, you should first check that they have followed the correct procedure for this. Shelter Scotland have some helpful guidance on how to check if you have received a valid rent increase notice on their website.

Your landlord is required to provide you with at least 3 months’ notice before the increase can take effect, and if you wish to challenge the proposed increase you should firstly approach your landlord to try and negotiate this with them.

If you are unable to reach an agreement with the landlord and you still wish to challenge the proposed increase, you can apply to Rent Service Scotland for them to review and adjudicate on the matter.

You can make an application to Rent Service Scotland to review the proposed increase via their website. You should then normally receive a decision from Rent Service Scotland within 40 days.

It’s crucial that you if you wish to ask Rent Service Scotland to adjudicate that you contact them within 21 days of receiving the rent increase notice from your landlord.

My landlord has served me with an invalid rent increase notice, what should I do?

You should contact your landlord and point out that you do not believe the rent increase notice is valid and that as such you will not be paying the proposed rent increase.

The landlord must serve a Rent-increase Notice that:

• is in the prescribed form

• states the rent that will be payable when the notice takes effect

• states the day on which the increase is to take effect – this must be at least 3 months after the date the notice is received by the tenant

If you find yourself in this situation and would like further advice or support, please contact the SRC Advice Centre.