What is the Section 13 notice period for a weekly tenancy?

For a weekly periodic tenancy, the minimum Section 13 notice period is usually one month, not one week.

What is the Section 13 notice period for a yearly tenancy?

For a yearly periodic tenancy, the landlord must usually give at least six months’ notice before the new rent can take effect.

Can a landlord serve a Section 13 notice more than once a year?

Usually no. A Section 13 rent increase can normally be used only once every 52 weeks for the same tenancy.

What makes a Section 13 notice invalid?

A Section 13 notice may be invalid if the notice period is too short, the effective date is wrong, the wrong form is used, or the tenancy is not eligible.

What happens if the Section 13 effective date is too early?

If the effective date is too early, the notice may be invalid and the landlord may need to serve a corrected Section 13 notice.

Does a Section 13 effective date have to match the rent due date?

Yes. In many cases, the effective date should match the start of a tenancy period, which is often the rent due date.

Can the tenancy period affect the Section 13 notice date?

Yes, if the tenancy period does not match the rent payment schedule, the effective date should be calculated from the tenancy period, not just the payment date.

Can a Section 13 notice be used after a fixed-term tenancy ends?

A landlord can usually serve a Section 13 notice after a fixed term has ended and the tenancy has become periodic, unless the contract has its own valid rent review clause.

Can a Section 13 notice be used during a fixed-term tenancy?

No. Section 13 notices apply to assured periodic tenancies, so they are generally not used during a fixed-term tenancy.

Can a tenant challenge a Section 13 rent increase?

If the tenant disagrees with the proposed rent, they can apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the new rent is due to take effect.

Why are Section 13 notice period examples useful?

The examples help landlords choose a valid notice period and effective date based on the tenancy frequency, service date, and rent period.

When does the Section 13 notice period start?

The Section 13 notice period normally starts when the notice is served on the tenant, not when it is prepared.

Does posting a Section 13 notice affect the notice period?

Yes. Landlords should allow extra time for postal delivery or use a permitted service method under the tenancy agreement or legal rules.

Does a Section 13 notice apply across the whole United Kingdom?

No. Section 13 is used in England and Wales. Rent increase rules are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

How can I create a Section 13 notice with the correct dates?

You can use a Section 13 notice generator to create a tailored rent increase notice with the correct notice period and effective date for your tenancy.

EN-GB>Residential>Section 13 Notice>UK Section 13 Notice Periods & Dates

United Kingdom Section 13 Notice Periods And Effective Date Examples

Created: 10 Jun 2026

This guide explains Section 13 notice periods and effective date examples for UK rent increases, helping landlords and tenants understand timing, compliance, and practical next steps. For related templates and guidance, visit AI Generated British Section 13 Notice.

Minimum Notice Period	Effective Date Rule	Example Service Date	Example Earliest Increase Date	Common Date Mistake
Monthly
At least one month	First day of a new monthly tenancy period	2026-01-05	2026-02-10	Using 5 February instead of the next period start
At least one month	Use the next monthly period start after notice expires	2026-01-12	2026-03-01	Choosing 12 February or 1 February
At least one month	First day of the next monthly period after notice	2026-04-14	2026-05-15	Assuming calendar month end controls the date
At least one month	Start on a monthly period start after a full month notice	2026-04-16	2026-06-15	Selecting 15 May without a full month notice
At least one month	Use the next period start after one calendar month	2028-01-31	2028-03-31	Treating 29 February as the period start
Weekly
At least one month	First day of a weekly period after one month notice	2026-01-06	2026-02-09	Using exactly one month later on a non-period day
At least one month	Use the next weekly start after the month expires	2026-02-10	2026-03-16	Choosing 10 March, which is not a weekly start
At least one month	First Friday period start after the notice month	2026-07-20	2026-08-21	Starting on 20 August rather than Friday
Fortnightly
At least one month	First day of a fortnightly period after one month	2026-01-08	2026-02-16	Using the next weekly rent day instead of fortnight start
At least one month	Wait for the next fortnightly period start	2026-05-19	2026-06-29	Selecting 22 June when the notice month expired after the prior start
Four-weekly
At least one month	First day of a four-weekly period after one month	2026-01-20	2026-03-02	Confusing four-weekly rent with monthly rent
At least one month	Use the next four-weekly period start after notice	2026-09-02	2026-10-12	Using the monthly anniversary of service
Quarterly
At least three months	First day of a quarterly period after three months notice	2026-01-15	2026-07-01	Giving only one month notice for quarterly rent
At least three months	Start on the next quarterly period start after notice	2026-03-20	2026-07-01	Choosing 20 June, not a quarter start
At least three months	Use the tenancy's own quarterly period start	2026-02-01	2026-05-15	Assuming quarters always start on 1 January, April, July or October
Six-monthly
At least six months	First day of a six-monthly period after six months notice	2026-01-10	2026-07-01	Treating six-monthly rent as monthly rent
At least six months	Use the next six-monthly period start after full notice	2026-01-02	2027-01-01	Choosing 1 July when six full months have not elapsed
At least six months	Start on the tenancy's six-monthly period date	2026-03-25	2026-10-01	Using 25 September instead of 1 October
Yearly
At least six months	First day of a yearly period after six months notice	2026-02-01	2027-01-01	Assuming six months notice allows a mid-year start
At least six months	Use the next annual period start after six months notice	2026-08-31	2027-09-01	Choosing 1 September 2026 with no six-month notice
At least six months	Start on the annual tenancy period date after notice	2026-09-30	2027-04-06	Using 30 March rather than the annual period start
Monthly
At least one month	First day of a monthly period after the notice is served	2026-05-31	2026-07-01	Posting on 31 May and assuming same-day service
At least one month	First monthly period start after one month notice	2026-02-27	2026-03-28	Thinking February always prevents a March increase
At least one month	Allow a full month before the monthly period start	2026-02-28	2026-04-28	Using 28 March where a full month may be disputed
At least one month	Use the 5th after one full month notice	2026-11-04	2026-12-05	Using the rent payment processing date instead of period start
At least one month	New rent cannot start until a later monthly period	2026-11-05	2027-01-05	Serving on the 5th and increasing on 5 December
Weekly
At least one month	First Sunday period start after one month notice	2026-03-31	2026-05-03	Using 30 April, which is not a Sunday period start
Fortnightly
At least one month	First Friday fortnightly period after one month notice	2026-06-04	2026-07-10	Using any Friday instead of the correct fortnightly cycle
Four-weekly
At least one month	First four-weekly cycle date after one month notice	2026-06-01	2026-07-24	Treating every fourth calendar date as a four-week period
Quarterly
At least three months	First 10th quarterly start after three months notice	2026-04-09	2026-07-10	Serving one day later and still using 10 July
At least three months	A later quarterly start is needed after full notice	2026-04-10	2026-10-10	Increasing on 10 July after serving on 10 April
Six-monthly
At least six months	First cycle start after six months notice	2026-03-31	2026-10-01	Assuming 30 September is valid as the notice expiry date
Yearly
At least six months	Annual period start after the six-month minimum	2026-03-15	2026-10-01	Using 15 September instead of the annual start date

How Much Notice Is Needed For A Section 13 Rent Increase?

For assured periodic tenancies in England and Wales, a Section 13 notice generally needs at least one month where rent is paid weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly. Longer rent periods require longer notice: six months for yearly tenancies, and for other periods above monthly the notice must normally be at least equal to the period of the tenancy.

What Date Should The New Rent Start?

The proposed new rent should normally start on the first day of a new tenancy period, not merely the day after the minimum notice expires. If rent is due monthly on the 10th, the safest effective date is usually a 10th after the required notice period has fully elapsed.

What Is The Most Common Section 13 Date Mistake?

Using a date exactly one calendar month after service even though that date is not the first day of a tenancy period.
Forgetting that quarterly, six-monthly and yearly tenancies usually need more than one month.
Assuming the rent payment date is always the tenancy period start date without checking the tenancy history.
Serving too late in the day or by post and ignoring when the notice is deemed served.

Where Can Tenants Challenge The Proposed Date Or Rent?

A tenant can apply to the First-tier Tribunal before the proposed start date if they dispute a Section 13 increase. The official form and guidance are available from GOV.UK assured tenancy forms.