Rising costs and a tightening rental market mean landlords across Kent need to stay on top of rent levels. This will help to compare local rents, explains how to issue a lawful Section 13 notice, and shows how our tenancy health check can ensure compliance and help you achieve the right rent.
Kent-Wide Rent Comparables
Using current Zoopla listings, these averages reflect typical private rents across towns in Kent
- Rooms in shared houses: £550 – £650 pcm
- 1-bedroom flats: £950 – £1,150 pcm
- 2-bedroom properties (houses/flats): approx. £1,100–£1,400 pcm
These figures provide a snapshot of local demand and prevailing rent levels across Kent towns like Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Sittingbourne and Chatham.
Why Many Landlords Are Under‑Charging
Sometimes landlords hesitate to raise rents. Common reasons include:
- Worrying about tenant loss
- Rent reviews being delayed due to workload
- Ignoring shifts in local demand and market momentum
- Reducing rent while putting off maintenance — leading to lower standards, more complaints, and weaker justification for future increases
It’s important to stay proactive — fair rent, good upkeep and clear communication build trust and minimise turnover.
How to Increase Rent Legally Right Now
Raising rent legally depends on the type of tenancy and what’s written in the agreement.
For fixed-term tenancies, if there’s a rent review clause, you must follow it exactly. If there isn’t one, you can’t raise the rent mid-term unless the tenant agrees in writing. Once the fixed term ends, you can propose a new rent by serving a Section 13 notice.
For periodic tenancies, you can either agree a rent increase in writing with the tenant or serve a Section 13 notice (Form 4) if they don’t agree or no clause exists. This notice gives the tenant at least one month’s notice and can only be used once every 12 months.
Rent review clauses are still valid for now, but if the tenancy becomes statutory periodic, they may no longer apply. Upcoming legislation may remove these altogether, meaning all rent increases will eventually need to go through the Section 13 process.
If a tenant thinks the proposed rent is above market rate, they can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The Tribunal will assess comparable local rents and decide what a fair market rent should be. Be aware — at present, the Tribunal can decide on a higher, lower or the same rent as proposed, so it’s important to get your figures right.
It’s essential to follow the correct process — a misstep could lead to delays, disputes, or even invalidate your rent increase.
Kent’s rental market is shifting, and savvy landlords are using this moment to review and realign their rents — not just to keep up with inflation, but to ensure they’re achieving a fair return that reflects their property’s true value.
But timing and compliance are everything.
Looking ahead, the Renters’ Rights Bill is set to bring big changes to how rent increases must be handled across the private rented sector. Under the proposed legislation:
- All rent increases will need to be made using a Section 13 notice, with at least two months’ notice.
- Landlords will be permitted to raise rent once per year, in line with current market value — no more.
- Tenants will have the right to challenge increases they believe are above market rent, with decisions made by the First-tier Tribunal.
- Backdated increases will be banned, and Tribunals won’t be able to raise rent above what landlords propose, giving tenants more certainty.
- In cases of undue hardship, rent increases could be delayed by up to 2 months.
- Rent review clauses and informal increases will no longer be allowed — every increase must follow this same clear and lawful process.
These reforms are designed to prevent misuse and ‘backdoor evictions’, but they also mean that landlords will need to be more confident than ever that their rent increase is fair, justified, and properly served.
This makes now the perfect time to review your rent levels, your paperwork, and your compliance — before the new rules come into force. Being proactive now will make the transition smoother and protect both your property and your peace of mind.
How We Can Help
Raising the rent is only one piece of the puzzle — ensuring you’re fully compliant and your property is positioned to achieve its best return is essential.
That’s where our Tenancy Health Check comes in.
It’s a free, no-obligation phone call with our expert where we:
- Review your tenancy details and rent history
- Go through a compliance checklist (EPC, EICR, licensing, documents, etc.)
- Check whether your property is eligible for a Section 13 rent increase
- Benchmark your rent against current Kent market rates
- Offer practical solutions if anything’s out of date or holding your rent back
- Give you honest, expert advice on the rent you could (or should) be achieving
Whether you’re undercharging, unsure what’s allowed, or just haven’t reviewed the rent in years — this is your opportunity to get clear, tailored insight.
Let Lifeboat Lettings take the weight off your shoulders. Book your tenancy health check today and start getting the return your property deserves — the right way.
