Ending Your Tenancy

From 1st May 2026, fixed term tenancies were abolished under the Renters' Rights Act (RRA), meaning all existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) and fixed term tenancies included, automatically became Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT). 

Why is this important? 

Because it means that if you originally signed an AST and you were still within your fixed term on 1st May 2026, your tenancy no longer has a fixed end date and instead automatically converted onto a periodic tenancy that continues on a monthly rolling basis under a different type of agreement.

The notice period required to end your tenancy has also changed, however please note that neither you or your landlord were required to sign a new tenancy agreement for these changes to take place. 

Under the Renters' Rights Act (RRA), tenants with an Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) must give a minimum of two months' notice if they wish to end their tenancy. 

This includes tenancies that were previously on ASTs, but automatically converted onto APTs under the RRA, meaning if you signed an AST before 1st May 2026, your tenancy agreement may state a different notice period is required (often one months notice). However, as the RRA changed all notice periods to two months' automatically without the need to sign a new tenancy agreement, two month's notice must be given.

Although you can now give notice to your landlord at any time throughout your tenancy without having to wait until your fixed term has ended, the notice must expire at the end of a rental period. 

This is often the most complicated part of giving your landlord notice as your tenancy end date will usually need to align with your rental period. This means the last day of your tenancy should also be the last day a rental period. 

Let's say your tenancy started on the 10th of the month, your rental period will run from the 10th day of one month to the 9th day of the following month, and therefore your notice period will start from the next 10th day of the month. 

Example 1 - You give notice on 1st of the month, your notice period will not start until the 10th day of the same month, and will end on the 9th day in two months time. 

Example 2 - You give notice on the 15th of the month, your notice period will not start until the 10th day of the following month, again ending on the 9th day in two months time.

What if you pay rent on a different date to your rental period dates? 

If you pay rent on a different date to that of your rental period, e.g. on the 1st of each month, but your rental period starts on the 10th of the month, your notice period should still align with your rental period (unless your tenancy agreement states otherwise). 

Example 3 - If you pay rent on the 1st of each month and also give notice on the 1st of the month, your notice will still not start until the 10th of that month, ending on the 9th in two months time, and your final rent payment will be prorated from 1st - 9th of your last month. 

This means that your tenancy should always last for a certain number of full calendar months form that date it starts. 

If you decide to move out before the end of your notice period, your tenancy will not end early and you will still be legally responsible for paying rent until the final day of your notice period. This applies even if you have returned the keys before your notice ends, unless your landlord agrees otherwise. 

It is also important to note that if you paid a tenancy deposit, we cannot return this to you, or make any end of tenancy charges, until your tenancy officially ends.