Refund rent paid for days after the tenancy ends

Any assured tenancy ending on or after 1 May 2026 where rent was paid beyond the end date.

Repay the part of any rent that relates to days after the tenancy ended.

Deadline

After the end of the tenancy

No statutory time limit is set; repay promptly.

• Final rent statement showing apportionment and refund

Other consequences

Tenant has a statutory entitlement recoverable as a debt.

• Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.10 (inserts HA 1988 s.14ZC: repayment of rent paid for days after end of tenancy)legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

• State a single fixed rent in every written advert or offerIn force since 1 May 2026Fine up to £7,000

  Any written advert or written offer for a home to be let on an assured tenancy must state one specific rent. Price ranges and 'offers over' adverts are not allowed.

• Do not invite, encourage or accept offers above the advertised rentIn force since 1 May 2026Fine up to £7,000

  Rental bidding is banned. You and your agent cannot ask for, encourage or accept an offer of rent above the rent stated in the written advert or offer.

• Limit rent in advance to the first month (or 28 days) between signing and move-inIn force since 1 May 2026

  Between signing and the tenancy start date you can only require the initial rent: usually one month's rent (monthly tenancies) or 28 days' rent. Once the tenancy has started, rent cannot be required before it is due.

• Increase rent only by a section 13 notice on Form 4A, at most once a yearIn force since 1 May 2026

  Rent can only go up through the section 13 process: serve Form 4A at least two months before the increase, no increase in the first 52 weeks, and at least 52 weeks between increases. Rent review clauses no longer work.

• Tenant challenges to rent: do not charge the higher rent until the tribunal decidesIn force since 1 May 2026

  A tenant can refer a proposed increase to the First-tier Tribunal before it takes effect, or challenge the starting rent in the first 6 months. The tribunal cannot set more than you proposed, and the higher rent is not payable until it decides.

• Announced: rent challenges to move to HMRC's Valuation Office (not yet in force)Proposed, not yet law

  The government has announced that HMRC's Valuation Office will decide challenges to rent increases in England instead of the First-tier Tribunal. No date has been set; the tribunal remains the route today.