If the tenancy is for a fixed term Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), the agreement should say either that the rent will be fixed for the length of the term or that it will be reviewed at regular intervals and how it will be reviewed.
If the tenancy is a fixed term AST and the agreement does NOT say when the rent will go up, the landlord can only put the rent up if the tenant agrees. If the tenant does not agree, the landlord has to wait until the end of the fixed term before he can raise the rent.
When the fixed term AST ends and the tenancy lapses into a Statutory Periodic Tenancy (SPT), the landlord can agree a rent increase with the tenant, or formally propose a rent increase as soon as the SPT starts under a procedure in the Housing Act 1988.
The formal procedure for proposing a rent increase is for the landlord to notify the tenant of the proposed rent increase using a special form called "Landlord's Notice Proposing a New Rent under an Assured Periodic Tenancy of Premises".
If the tenant agrees with the rent increase (formally proposed or informally), he or she should simply pay it from the date given in the notice.
If the tenant does NOT agree with the proposed increase, he or she must apply to the Residential Property Tribunal (RPT). The RPT will then consider the information at it's rent assessment committee and determine what the rent should be. The tenant must do so before the date on which the new rent would be due. Details of the RPT are at http://www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/residential-property
There is no appeal against a committee's decision except on a point of law, and there is no ability to award costs.
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