Which private renters still have an assured shorthold tenancy?
From 1 May 2026, most private tenants have an assured tenancy.
Before 1 May 2026, most private tenants had an assured shorthold tenancy (AST).
Who still has an AST?
You could still have an assured shorthold tenancy if you got a valid eviction notice before 1 May 2026.
This could be a section 21 notice or a section 8 notice.
When your notice runs out
If you stay after your notice runs out, your landlord must ask a court for an order to evict you.
Your landlord has until 31 July 2026 to ask the court for an order to evict you if they gave you the notice before 1 May 2026.
If they do not ask the court for an order by 31 July 2026:
they cannot use the notice to evict you
you become an assured tenant with stronger protection from eviction
Read our advice on:
How do you end a periodic AST?
You can end a periodic assured shorthold tenancy by giving 1 month's notice.
Your notice has to end on the first or last day of a 'tenancy period'. Your tenancy period starts on the same date your tenancy started.
For example, if your tenancy started on the 3rd of the month and you pay rent monthly, you need to give at least 1 month's notice. It must end on either the 3rd or the 2nd of the month.
Only give notice to end your tenancy if you have somewhere else to move to. If you do not, it can affect homeless help you could get from the council.
Fixed term agreements from before 1 May 2026
You could still have a fixed term tenancy after 1 May 2026 if both of these happened before that date:
your landlord gave you a valid section 8 notice
you signed a fixed term agreement before you got the valid section 8 notice
Ending a fixed term tenancy early
If your landlord has given you an eviction notice and you have a fixed term tenancy, they might agree to let you leave before the end of the fixed term.
This is called a 'surrender'. If your landlord agrees, ask them to put in writing:
the date the tenancy ends
the last day you have to pay rent
Check if you have a 'break clause' in your agreement that allows you to give notice to end the fixed term early.
Joint tenants
If you have a joint tenancy, all joint tenants need to agree to a surrender or to use a break clause.
Only do this if you have somewhere else to move to.
If you end your tenancy before your right to live in your home ends, your council may not help you if you are homeless.
What repairs is your landlord responsible for?
Find out about your landlord's responsibilities for repairs and safety.
What happens to your tenancy deposit?
Your landlord must protect your deposit and give you information about where it is protected.
What if you sign a new agreement?
If you sign a new contract from 1 May 2026 your landlord cannot:
give you a new section 21 eviction notice
use an eviction notice they gave you before 1 May 2026 to get a court order to evict you
Your tenancy becomes an assured periodic tenancy.
Read the new agreement carefully before you sign it. Check you are happy with how much the rent is.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
