# UK Renters' Rights Act Dates for Landlords (`landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates`) Actor

England, from 1 May 2026: the earliest date a section 13 rent increase can start, and the 28-day deadline to answer a tenant's pet request. See README.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates.md
- **Developed by:** [LandlordTools](https://apify.com/landlordtools) (community)
- **Categories:** Real estate, Business
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.00 / 1,000 date results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

Calculate two dates landlords in England now have to get right under the Renters' Rights Act, which took effect on 1 May 2026. One JSON result goes to the dataset and to the key-value store's `OUTPUT` record. **Not legal advice.**

### What it does and who it is for

For landlords, letting agents and AI agents. Choose a `mode` and supply dates:

- **`rent-increase`**: the earliest date a section 13 rent increase (Form 4A) can start. It is the start of a rent period no earlier than 2 months after the notice is served, 52 weeks after the tenancy began, and 52 weeks after the last increase took effect [1], [2].
- **`pet-request`**: the deadline to reply in writing to a tenant's request to keep a pet. That is 28 days from the request, or, if you asked for more information, the later of that date and 7 days after it arrived [3].

### Quick start

Prefill input:

```json
{
  "mode": "rent-increase",
  "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10",
  "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15"
}
```

Output (the `sources` list of two links is omitted here):

```json
{
  "mode": "rent-increase",
  "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10",
  "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15",
  "lastIncreaseDate": null,
  "rentFrequency": "monthly",
  "rentDay": null,
  "shortMonthRule": null,
  "earliestStartDate": "2026-12-15",
  "notBefore": "2026-12-10",
  "rule": "The start of a rent period no earlier than 2 months after service, 52 weeks after the tenancy began, and 52 weeks after the last increase took effect.",
  "notes": [
    "If you post the notice, allow extra days for delivery. Use the current Form 4A from GOV.UK. Not legal advice."
  ]
}
```

`notBefore` is the earliest date allowed by the three time limits; `earliestStartDate` moves it on to the start of the next rent period.

### Input fields

| Field | Type | Required | Default | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `mode` | string | yes (single input) | none | `rent-increase` or `pet-request` |
| `noticeServedDate` | string | `rent-increase` | none | Date the Form 4A notice is served, `YYYY-MM-DD` |
| `tenancyStartDate` | string | `rent-increase` | none | Date the tenancy began, `YYYY-MM-DD` |
| `lastIncreaseDate` | string | no | none | Date the last increase took effect, `YYYY-MM-DD` |
| `rentFrequency` | string | no | `monthly` | `monthly` or `weekly` |
| `rentDay` | integer | no | tenancy start day | Day of the month rent periods start, 1-31; monthly rent only |
| `shortMonthRule` | string | see below | none | `last`, `next` or `unsure` |
| `requestReceivedDate` | string | `pet-request` | none | Date the written request was received, `YYYY-MM-DD` |
| `informationReceivedDate` | string | no | none | Date the information you asked for arrived, `YYYY-MM-DD` |
| `items` | array | no | none | Batch input, on its own; see Batch use |

`shortMonthRule` is required only when the monthly rent day is the 29th, 30th or 31st. It says what the agreement does in a month without that day: `last` (the last day of the month), `next` (the 1st of the next month) or `unsure` (uses the later date and adds a warning). It matters because a wrong start date can make the notice invalid (Mooney v Whiteland \[2023] EWCA Civ 67).

Fields from the other mode, and unknown fields, are rejected. Do not include names or addresses.

### Output fields

| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `mode` | The calculation run |
| `noticeServedDate`, `tenancyStartDate`, `lastIncreaseDate`, `rentFrequency`, `rentDay`, `shortMonthRule` | `rent-increase` inputs as used (`null` if not given) |
| `earliestStartDate` | Earliest date the new rent can start |
| `notBefore` | Earliest date the time limits allow, before moving to a rent period start |
| `requestReceivedDate`, `informationReceivedDate` | `pet-request` inputs as used |
| `replyBy` | The pet request reply deadline |
| `rule` | Statutory rule applied (`rent-increase`) |
| `notes`, `sources` | Notes and caveats; official sources |

`pet-request` also returns `initialDeadline` (28 days from the request) and `deadlineAfterInformation` (7 days after the information arrived, or `null`).

### Batch use

Send `{"items": [ ... ]}` with up to 1,000 inputs, each with `mode`, for one dataset row per item with its `index`. A bad item gives a row with `error` instead of failing the run. Give no other top-level fields with `items`.

### Use from code

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/landlordtools~uk-renters-rights-dates/run-sync-get-dataset-items?token=YOUR_API_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"mode": "rent-increase", "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10", "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15"}'
```

```js
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: 'YOUR_API_TOKEN' });
const run = await client.actor('landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates').call({
  mode: 'rent-increase', noticeServedDate: '2026-10-10', tenancyStartDate: '2025-11-15',
});
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items[0].earliestStartDate);
```

### Use with AI agents

AI agents can call this Actor through Apify's MCP server (https://mcp.apify.com). Example prompt: "A tenancy started on 15 November 2025 and I serve a Form 4A on 10 October 2026. When can the new rent start?"

### Limits

England only, for assured tenancies under the Housing Act 1988 as amended from 1 May 2026. Dates do not allow for postal delivery, so allow extra days if you post the notice. The logic is the same as the [free calculators on landlorddeadlines.co.uk](https://landlorddeadlines.co.uk); the tests check over 1,000 cases against the site's code.

### Integrations

Power Platform, OpenAPI, Excel and Google Sheets files are in [`integrations/`](integrations/README.md). Apify's Zapier, Make and n8n apps work too.

### Pricing

Pay per event: $2 per 1,000 results, plus Apify's tiny per-run start fee ($0.00005). See the Pricing tab for the current price.

### Related Actors

- [England PRS Registration Deadline](https://apify.com/landlordtools/england-prs-registration-deadline): PRS registration dates.
- [UK Working Days](https://apify.com/landlordtools/uk-working-days): working days and CPR 2.8 time limits.
- [UK Business Deadlines](https://apify.com/landlordtools/uk-business-deadlines): company and tax deadlines from a date.
- [UK Late Payment Interest](https://apify.com/landlordtools/uk-late-payment-interest): interest on a late business invoice.

### Sources

1. [legislation.gov.uk: Housing Act 1988, section 13 (increases of rent), as amended from 1 May 2026](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/section/13). Accessed 3 October 2026.
2. [GOV.UK: Assured tenancy agreements, a guide for landlords: rent increases](https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/rent-increases). Accessed 3 October 2026.
3. [GOV.UK: Assured tenancy agreements, a guide for landlords: if a tenant wants a pet to live with them](https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/if-a-tenant-wants-a-pet-to-live-with-them). Accessed 3 October 2026.

[1]: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/section/13

[2]: https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/rent-increases

[3]: https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/if-a-tenant-wants-a-pet-to-live-with-them

# Actor input Schema

## `mode` (type: `string`):

rent-increase: earliest start date for a section 13 (Form 4A) rent increase. pet-request: deadline to reply to a tenant's written pet request. Example: rent-increase.

## `noticeServedDate` (type: `string`):

rent-increase, required: date the Form 4A notice is served, in YYYY-MM-DD format. Example: 2026-10-10.

## `tenancyStartDate` (type: `string`):

rent-increase, required: date the tenancy began, in YYYY-MM-DD format. Example: 2025-11-15.

## `lastIncreaseDate` (type: `string`):

rent-increase, optional: date the last rent increase took effect, YYYY-MM-DD. Leave out if there was none. Example: 2026-01-15.

## `rentFrequency` (type: `string`):

rent-increase, optional: how often rent is paid, monthly (default) or weekly.

## `rentDay` (type: `integer`):

rent-increase, monthly rent only, optional: day of the month rent periods start, 1 to 31. Defaults to the tenancy start day. Example: 15.

## `shortMonthRule` (type: `string`):

Needed only when the monthly rent day is the 29th-31st. What the agreement says for shorter months: last (last day of the month), next (1st of next month) or unsure (later date plus a warning).

## `requestReceivedDate` (type: `string`):

pet-request, required: date the tenant's written pet request was received, in YYYY-MM-DD format. Example: 2026-10-01.

## `informationReceivedDate` (type: `string`):

pet-request, optional: date the extra information you asked for arrived, YYYY-MM-DD, not before requestReceivedDate. Example: 2026-10-20.

## `items` (type: `array`):

Optional batch, used on its own: 1 to 1000 objects, each with mode and that mode's fields. One dataset row per item; a bad item gives an error row instead of failing the run.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "mode": "rent-increase",
  "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10",
  "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15"
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `result` (type: `string`):

No description

## `output` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "mode": "rent-increase",
    "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10",
    "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "mode": "rent-increase",
    "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10",
    "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15",
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "mode": "rent-increase",
  "noticeServedDate": "2026-10-10",
  "tenancyStartDate": "2025-11-15"
}' |
apify call landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,landlordtools/uk-renters-rights-dates"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/r9QrmRW5RRdWeg6N2/builds/VMJcuMb7IOKzrAL7o/openapi.json