How long does a rent tribunal take in England?
If you’re considering challenging a rent increase, build in a realistic timeline. Most guides quote a single number. The reality is two separate stages.
The two timeframes
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Application to hearing | ~24 weeks (pre-2026 estimate) |
| Hearing to written decision | ~6 weeks |
| Realistic total (oral hearing) | 6–9 months minimum |
These are practitioner estimates, not published official statistics — the First-tier Tribunal does not publish average wait times for rent cases. They reflect conditions before the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force. With the increased caseload expected from May 2026 (all private rent increases must now go through Section 13, and tenants are better protected from retaliation), the realistic wait for oral hearings is likely to be considerably longer.
The open caseload at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) stood at over 9,000 cases in late 2024 — already significantly above pre-2022 levels and still rising.
Paper review vs oral hearing
Many rent cases are decided on the documents alone, without a hearing. This is typically faster. The tribunal decides which process to use based on the evidence submitted.
Request an oral hearing if:
- The property’s condition is genuinely disputed
- The landlord’s comparables differ significantly from yours
- There are credibility issues the panel should assess directly
Paper decisions on contested facts have been overturned on appeal. If the facts are in dispute, a hearing gives you a stronger foundation.
What to pay while you wait
Continue paying your current rent throughout the dispute. Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, the new rent only takes effect from the first rental period after the tribunal’s determination. Once you have filed your Rents 1 application before the effective date, there is no backdated arrears risk.
This removes the risk that existed under the old rules, where the tribunal could backdate a rent increase to the original notice date — and tenants could find themselves owing months of arrears after a determination.
Hardship deferral
If paying the new rent immediately after the tribunal’s determination would cause undue hardship, the tribunal can defer the effective date by up to 2 months after its decision. Include your financial circumstances in your Rents 1 application if you want to request this.
The longer-term picture
The government has stated its intention to establish an alternative body for initial rent determinations in the longer term, subject to a viability assessment. This would not be in place before 2028 at the earliest. For now, the First-tier Tribunal handles all cases.
To understand what evidence to prepare while you’re waiting, see our guide on what evidence the tribunal uses to set rent.
For the full challenge process — from how to apply to what happens at a hearing — see our guide on challenging a rent increase at tribunal.
For a full overview of all the protections introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, see our guide to the Act.
Frequently asked questions
- Cases going to an oral hearing typically take 6–9 months from application to written decision — around 24 weeks to the hearing, then up to 6 weeks for the decision. Paper reviews (decided on documents only) can be faster. With significantly increased caseload expected from May 2026, the realistic wait for hearing cases is likely to be longer.
- Continue paying your current rent. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the new rent only takes effect from the first rental period after the tribunal's determination — not from the date on the original notice. There is no backdated arrears risk once you have filed your application.
- Yes. The tribunal can defer the new rent's effective date by up to 2 months after its determination if immediate payment would cause undue hardship. Request this on your Rents 1 application and include details of your financial circumstances.