Form 4A Evidence & Service Log: Free Rent Increase Template 2026

About This Template

Form 4A is the government-prescribed notice for proposing a new rent undersection 13(2) of the Housing Act 1988. Always download a fresh copy from GOV.UK before serving it. GOV.UK gives you no way to build the case behind the number you write on that form. This log is that document.

A tenant who challenges your proposed rent at the First-tier Tribunal can only have it set at or below your figure, never higher, under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. A defensible, evidenced rent is your single best protection against a challenge. This log is how you build it: a comparable-lettings table, a valuation-letter tracker, a 12-month anniversary calculator, and a service record.

What's Inside

• Tenancy & timing section: calculates your earliest eligible date for the next increase, 12 months since the tenancy started or the last increase
• Comparable lettings table: log at least 3 similar local lettings with rent, date seen and source
• Valuation letter tracker: record when you asked a local agent for a written rental valuation and what they said
• Proposed rent worksheet: brings your current rent, comparables and valuation together into one defensible figure
• Service record: method, date, witness and proof of service once you've served the actual Form 4A

How to Use It Alongside Form 4A

1. Check your earliest eligible date in Section 1 (no increase in the first 12 months of the tenancy, and only once every 12 months after).
2. Fill in the comparable lettings table and request a valuation letter (Sections 2-3). See the full Form 4A guide for how to build this evidence properly.
3. Settle on a defensible proposed rent (Section 4). The Tribunal can only go down from your figure, never up.
4. Download a fresh Form 4A from GOV.UK, fill it in with the figure and date from this log, and serve it.
5. Complete the service record (Section 5) the same day you serve, while the details are fresh.

FAQs

Is this the same as Form 4A?
No. Form 4A is the government-prescribed notice. Download a fresh copy from GOV.UK before serving it. This log is the working document behind it: the evidence and service record.

Why do I need comparable evidence at all?
A well-evidenced figure is what stops a Tribunal challenge succeeding, because the Tribunal can only set your proposed rent at or below what you asked for, never higher. It's also what you'd present at a hearing if one happens.

How many comparable lettings do I need?
At least three, similar area, type, bedroom count and condition, ideally let within the last six months.

Free download, editable Word (.docx) format. Enter your email below and we'll send the template to your inbox. You'll also get our occasional landlord newsletter (unsubscribe any time).