Do you have to leave a student tenancy in the summer?
This advice is for full time students renting from a private landlord or letting agent.
You have different rights in student halls of residence.
Can you stay after a notice ends?
You do not have to leave when an eviction notice ends.
Your landlord can apply to court for an eviction order if you do not leave.
You have a right to stay while your landlord applies for an eviction order.
Table: Court action deadlines
The Renters' Rights Act gives deadlines for your landlord to start court action.
| Type of notice | Latest date for court action |
|---|---|
| Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026 | 31 July 2026 |
| Section 8 notice before 1 May 2026 | 31 July 2026 |
| Ground 4A notice from 1 May 2026 | 30 September 2026 |
| Section 8 on other grounds from 1 May 2026 | 1 year from when you get the notice |
If your landlord applies to court too late, they cannot use the notice to evict you.
More on these types of eviction notice.
Should you move out if the notice is valid?
Valid means the notice is correct. For example, it is:
on the right form
gives you enough notice
A court can sometimes stop an eviction for rent arrears.
You might have to pay up to £666 if you're evicted by bailiffs.
A court cannot stop your eviction if a section 21 or ground 4A notice is valid.
You can avoid the stress and costs of eviction by finding a new place to live.
What if you or another joint tenant give notice?
A valid notice from a tenant ends the tenancy.
You have to move out when the notice ends.
In a fixed term tenancy
You can only give notice if:
the agreement has a break clause
all the tenants agree to use it
More on ending a fixed term tenancy early.
In a periodic tenancy
Any of the joint tenants can give a 'notice to quit'.
If the notice is valid, it ends the tenancy for all of you.
Your landlord does not need to go to court to make you leave.
More on ending a periodic tenancy.
The Renters' Rights Act could change your fixed term AST into an assured periodic tenancy on 1 May 2026.
Your tenancy might not change if you get an eviction notice before that date.
Last updated: 18 February 2026
