A Smart Rent Increase Strategy for Landlords
With the Renters Rights Act starting on 1st May, landlords need a clear rent-increase strategy to stay compliant and protect income. From appeal delays to preparing for a future sale to another landlord, a smart, well-timed plan can safeguard yields and keep you in control.
With the Renters Rights Act scheduled to commence on 1st May, landlords across Derby and the surrounding areas need to be planning ahead.
One of the biggest areas now under scrutiny is rent increases.
This is especially important now given the introduction of appeal routes for tenants and the rule that no rent increase can take effect until the appeal process has fully concluded. These procedural shifts mean landlords must be more strategic than ever, protecting rental income while staying compliant.
A considered rent-increase strategy not only safeguards your yields but also strengthens your ability to sell to another landlord if needed - a key tactic that can bypass new selling restrictions designed to protect tenants during sales to owner-occupiers. If selling is even a remote possibility in the next year, planning your rent reviews now could significantly improve your marketing position and give incoming investors the confidence they need.
Act Before the 1st May Deadline
Landlords should move quickly but sensibly. Any rent increase issued before 1st May operates under the current rules, avoiding the mandatory appeal pathway and the freeze on increases during that process.
This gives landlords certainty on cash flow and protects the property’s value to future investor buyers. For those considering exiting the sector, a well-timed increase before May strengthens your rental yield profile, making the property more attractive to other landlords looking for Buy to Let Derby opportunities.
If you wait until after 1st May, your increase could be delayed for weeks or even months while appeals are reviewed. During that time, the rent remains at the previous level, even if the market has moved on, and even if the increase is later approved. Acting now is not only lawful; it’s financially prudent.
Use Rent Reviews to Support a Landlord-to-Landlord Sale
With new restrictions on selling homes with tenants in situ to private buyers, selling to another landlord becomes an invaluable route.
In Derby’s active investment market, landlords want predictable, stable returns, and that starts with a fair, updated rent level. A professionally handled rent increase allows you to present the property as a healthy, income-producing asset with no outstanding appeals or rent disputes.
Investors researching potential buy to let purchases will always prioritise properties where the rent is already in line with market conditions. That’s why aligning your rent with the local rental landscape before listing is strategic positioning, not just administration.
Prepare for Tenant Appeals After 1st May
Once the new rules kick in, tenants will have the right to appeal rent increases, and the increase cannot take effect until the process is fully concluded. This could present a challenge for landlords with rising mortgage or maintenance costs. To protect yourself, ensure your proposed increase is evidence-based, clearly explained, and proportionate.
Gather comparable market rents, recent local listings, and inflationary data from reputable estate agents in Derby - this is where working with Cope & Co. adds real value. A well-documented, professionally presented review reduces the chance of an appeal and improves the likelihood of a swift, favourable outcome if one does occur.
Build In Review Cycles to Maintain Market Alignment
With the appeal process likely to slow down adjustments, landlords should adopt a regular, annual rent-review cycle aligned to tenancy anniversaries. This doesn’t mean increasing rents every year, it means maintaining the administrative rhythm so you never fall far below market level. A property that is £150 - £200 behind the Derby average becomes far more vulnerable during an appeal, and far less attractive to investor buyers.
This structured approach also helps landlords with larger portfolios manage predictable income forecasting and maintain a consistent strategy across all units, something increasingly important in the new regulatory environment.
Communicate Early and Clearly
The Renters' Rights Act emphasises transparency, and so should you. Keeping tenants informed, giving proper notice, and explaining how the increase has been calculated will not only reduce disputes but maintain the collaborative, long-term relationships that result in stable tenancies.
What We’ve Been Doing Across Our Existing Portfolio
At Cope & Co., we’ve spent the past few months preparing our entire managed portfolio for the 1st May changes, ensuring every landlord is protected and every tenancy is fully compliant.
This has included completing early rent reviews where appropriate and gathering detailed market comparables to support each increase and minimise the risk of appeals once the new rules begin.
We’ve also been proactively future-proofing properties that may be sold to other landlords, ensuring rents are aligned with market value before any sales restrictions take effect. By stabilising rental income now, we’ve positioned our clients’ investments to remain attractive, profitable, and resilient, whatever the next stage of the Renters Rights Act brings.
Final Thoughts
A well-timed and well-presented rent increase can protect your income, strengthen your position ahead of any future sale, and keep your property aligned with Derby’s fast-moving market. Whether you're planning a landlord-to-landlord sale or simply aiming to future-proof your rental business, Cope & Co. is here to help navigate this transition with confidence.
If you’d like personalised guidance, market comparables, or support issuing a compliant rent increase, our team is ready to assist.
