What does the timeline show?

The last day to protect the deposit, the earliest date for the first rent increase, and the latest day to serve Form 4A to meet that date.

Why is the first increase 52 weeks after the start?

Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 does not allow the first increase to take effect sooner than 52 weeks after the tenancy began.

Does it include Section 8 dates?

No. Section 8 dates depend on the ground, so use the Section 8 calculator.

What if my rent day differs from the start date?

Use the Section 13 calculator and enter a date a rent period begins under advanced options.

What if I paid the deposit before the tenancy start date?

Enter the date it was received in the deposit field. The 30 day window runs from receipt.

Tenancy timeline

Key dates for a new tenancy in England: deposit deadline, first possible rent increase, and when to serve notice. Free, no sign-up.

Last checked 29 October 2026

Tenancy start date

Date deposit received (blank = start date)

Rent is paid

What this shows

Deposit protection: the last day to protect the deposit and give the prescribed information (30 days beginning with receipt).
First rent increase: the earliest rent period start 52 weeks after the tenancy begins.
Serve by: the latest day to serve Form 4A to hit that date, allowing two months.

For the full workings, use the deposit deadline and Section 13 calculators. Section 8 notice dates depend on the ground, so use the Section 8 calculator.

Rent periods are taken from the tenancy start date. If your rent day differs, the Section 13 calculator lets you enter it.

Who this tool is for

Landlords and agents setting up a new tenancy in England who want the key dates in one place, and tenants who want to know when those dates fall.

Worked example

A monthly tenancy starts on 1 June 2026 and the deposit is received the same day. The deposit must be protected by 30 June 2026. The first rent increase can start on 1 June 2027, and Form 4A would need to be served by 1 April 2027 to give two months' notice.

What to do with the dates

Put the deposit deadline in your diary on day one.
Diary a reminder about two months before the first possible rent increase.
Use the Section 8 calculator only when you actually need to serve a notice, because the dates depend on the ground.

Assumptions

The timeline assumes an assured periodic tenancy with rent periods starting on the tenancy start date. If your rent day is different, use the Section 13 calculator, which lets you enter it.

What changed under the Renters' Rights Act 2025

Tenancies move to a periodic system, so a new tenancy is no longer a fixed term followed by a renewal. That makes a timeline simpler, since the key dates are the tenancy start, deposit protection and the earliest rent increase. The GOV.UK guide to the Renters' Rights Act sets out the wider changes.

If you are the tenant

Use the timeline to check three dates. Your deposit should be protected within 30 days of the landlord receiving it. The first rent increase cannot take effect sooner than 52 weeks after the tenancy began. A rent increase also needs at least two months' notice. If any of these look wrong, check the Section 13 and deposit calculators and seek advice.

Dates the timeline does not cover

The timeline does not cover Section 8 possession dates, which depend on the ground, or later phases of the Act, such as the landlord database and ombudsman. Use the Section 8 calculator when you need a notice date.

Why these dates matter

Landlords often miss the deposit deadline because it runs from the day the money is received, which may be before the tenancy starts. Rent increases are often dated wrongly because the new rent has to start on the first day of a rent period. Putting the three dates in a diary on the day the tenancy begins avoids both problems.

Day of receipt: start counting the 30 days.
Around month ten: check whether an increase is planned, and diary the last day to serve Form 4A.
Every year: re-check, because the next increase date moves each time the rent goes up.

Common questions

What does the timeline show?: The last day to protect the deposit, the earliest date for the first rent increase, and the latest day to serve Form 4A to meet that date.
Why is the first increase 52 weeks after the start?: Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 does not allow the first increase to take effect sooner than 52 weeks after the tenancy began.
Does it include Section 8 dates?: No. Section 8 dates depend on the ground, so use the Section 8 calculator.
What if my rent day differs from the start date?: Use the Section 13 calculator and enter a date a rent period begins under advanced options.
What if I paid the deposit before the tenancy start date?: Enter the date it was received in the deposit field. The 30 day window runs from receipt.

Other free tools

Section 8 notice dates: Earliest date to put on a Section 8 notice.
Section 13 rent increase: Earliest date a rent increase can start.
Deposit deadline: When a deposit must be protected, and when to return it.
Deposit cap: Maximum deposit and holding deposit for a given rent.

Sources

Last checked 29 October 2026. Found a mistake? Tell us.