The £47 market rent application fee and when you do not have to pay
Understand the £47 market rent application fee, when it is not payable and what to check before applying.
- The market rent application fee is currently £47 unless an exemption applies.
- You do not have to pay the fee if the notice was served before 1 May 2026 or you live in social housing.
- Help with Fees may also reduce or remove the cost for people on low income or certain benefits.
The application fee for a market rent determination is currently £47. However, not everyone has to pay it.
MR1 and GOV.UK guidance say you do not have to pay the fee if your landlord served the notice of increase before 1 May 2026 or if you live in social housing. You may also be able to get Help with Fees if you have little or no savings and are on certain benefits or have a low income.
Check your rent increase for free before deciding whether you need to gather more evidence.
Why the fee matters
A £47 fee can still be a barrier, especially if the rent increase itself is already creating financial pressure. Some tenants may assume they cannot use the official process because they cannot afford the fee.
That is why it is important to check the fee position before ruling anything out.
The fee question is separate from the evidence question. You may have strong evidence that the proposed rent looks above market, but still need to know whether the fee applies. You may also be exempt from the fee, but still need to gather useful evidence if you apply.
When you do not have to pay the £47 fee
The fee is not payable in two key situations.
First, you do not have to pay if the landlord served the notice of increase before 1 May 2026. This matters because the rent increase rules changed from that date.
Second, you do not have to pay if you live in social housing.
If either of these applies, check the latest MR1 and GOV.UK guidance before applying. The official form and guidance are the source to rely on for the current fee position.
Help with Fees
Even if the fee applies, you may be able to get Help with Fees. This is the GOV.UK scheme for court and tribunal fees.
You may be able to get help if you have little or no savings and either receive certain benefits or have a low income. The scheme looks at savings, benefits and income. If you have a partner, their income and savings may also need to be considered unless an exception applies.
Help with Fees is applied for separately. You can apply online or use EX160, officially called “Apply for help with fees”.
UpRently does not check whether you qualify for Help with Fees. Use GOV.UK to check eligibility and follow the official process.
Do not confuse the fee with evidence
Paying or not paying the fee does not decide whether your rent increase is fair. It only affects the application cost.
The market rent question still depends on evidence. You need to understand how the proposed rent compares with similar homes. If the proposed rent is close to local comparables, the evidence may not support a lower rent. If it is above similar homes, the evidence may be more useful.
This is why it makes sense to check the market position before focusing only on the fee. The fee tells you the cost of applying. The comparables help you decide whether the rent looks worth questioning.
Practical example
Imagine your rent is increasing from £900 to £1,100. You are worried about the £47 fee and assume you cannot afford to challenge.
Before stopping there, check whether any exemption applies. If your notice was served before 1 May 2026, the fee may not be payable. If you are on a low income or certain benefits, Help with Fees may apply.
Then check the rent evidence. If similar homes are around £1,100, the proposed rent may be supported by the local market. If similar homes are mostly around £950 to £1,000, you may want to look more closely at your options.
How UpRently helps
The UpRently Rent Rise Checker helps you understand the evidence side before you spend time on the official process. It compares your proposed rent with local market evidence where suitable comparables are available.
If you buy an Evidence Pack, it gives you a clearer record of the comparables and method used. That can help you understand the market position and keep evidence organised.
The Evidence Pack is separate from the tribunal fee. It does not pay or replace the official application fee.
What to read next
This guide is general information for private renters and landlords in England. UpRently helps you compare a proposed rent increase with local market evidence where suitable comparable data is available. It does not give legal advice, decide whether a notice is valid or complete tribunal applications. Check the latest official guidance before acting and get advice from Shelter, Citizens Advice or a qualified adviser if you are unsure.