I agree with Claire24: the rent cannot be increased during the fixed term.
Your rent can only be increased if:
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you agree to the increase or accept it by paying it
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a rent review clause in your tenancy agreement sets out how and when your rent can be increased
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your landlord uses a section 13 notice to give you at least 1 month’s notice of the proposed increase (if a rent review clause can’t be used)
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Your rent can’t be increased during the fixed-term of your tenancy unless a rent review clause allows it. “Your landlord must give you a minimum of one month’s notice (if you pay rent weekly or monthly). If you have a yearly tenancy, they must give you 6 months’ notice”
All from https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/rent-increases.
For more guidance see How to Increase the Rent by Serving a Section 13 Notice
Note, when the fixed term has expired, meaning the tenancy has automatically become a periodic tenancy.
- The landlord and tenant can agree to an increase in the rent simply by mutual agreement. In this case, there’s no need to use the formal Section 13 process.
The above are summarised notes: read the references to avoid any mistakes!