Which private renters still have an assured shorthold tenancy?

Who still has an AST?

You could still have an AST if you got either:

• a valid section 21 notice before 1 May 2026

• a valid section 8 notice before 1 May 2026

Valid means the notice is correct and your landlord can ask a court to evict you when it ends.

What happens when an eviction notice ends?

You can stay after the notice ends.

Your landlord can ask the court for an eviction order if you stay.

The latest date most private landlords can apply to court is 31 July 2026.

Your landlord might have to apply sooner. It depends when they gave you the notice.

What happens if your landlord does not apply to court?

If your landlord does not ask the court for an eviction order by 31 July 2026:

• they cannot use the notice to evict you

• you become an assured periodic tenant

Assured tenants have stronger protection from eviction and better rights.

More on assured tenancies with private landlords.

What if you want to leave an AST?

You might choose to end your tenancy if you have somewhere to move to.

Only 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.

Ending a rolling or periodic AST

You can end a periodic AST by giving 1 month's notice. A periodic AST is a rolling tenancy.

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 your notice must end on either the 3rd or the 2nd of the month.

In a joint periodic tenancy, any tenant could give notice. It will end the tenancy for all of you.

Ending a fixed term tenancy early

Your landlord 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 lets you give notice to end the fixed term early.

In a joint fixed term tenancy, you all need to agree to a surrender or to use a break clause. The tenancy continues if any tenant or your landlord does not agree.

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.

More on private tenancy agreements.

What happens to your tenancy deposit?

Your landlord or agent must:

• protect your deposit

• give you information about which deposit scheme protects your deposit.

Your deposit must stay protected for your whole tenancy including if:

• you are being evicted

• you give notice to leave

• you sign a new assured tenancy

• your tenancy becomes an assured tenancy on or after 1 May 2026

More on tenancy deposit protection.