Ending a tenancy or licence

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

You must end your agreement properly if you want to leave. If you don't you may still be liable to pay rent, even after you've moved out.

The rules on how you can end the agreement depend on whether your agreement is fixed term (for a set period of time, such as six months) or periodic (rolling from week to week or month to month). Your options will also depend on whether you have a joint agreement or not. If you need help, use our directory to find an advice centre in your local area.

If you are an excluded occupier or a regulated tenant, you should get advice about how to end your tenancy as the rules are different. Use our tenancy checker if you're not sure what type of tenancy you have.   

Ending a fixed term agreement

The rules on how you can end a tenancy or license agreement that is for a set period of time such as six months or one year. Read more 

Ending a periodic agreement

This section explains how a periodic agreement (ie one that rolls from week to week or month to month) can be ended by the tenant or licensee. Read more