How to end your tenancy
Give notice to end your tenancy
You can give your landlord a legal 'notice to quit' to end your tenancy.
Only give a notice to quit if you have somewhere else to live.
This is because this notice ends your rights as a tenant.
A notice to quit from a joint tenant ends the tenancy for everyone.
How much notice to give your landlord
Most private assured tenants have to give 2 months' notice. Most private renters have this tenancy type.
Your landlord cannot ask you to give more than 2 months' notice. But you can give a bit more notice if you want to.
You can only give less than 2 months' notice if your landlord agrees to a shorter notice period in writing. In a joint assured tenancy, you can only agree a shorter notice period with your landlord if all the tenants agree.
Your notice should end on the right day
Your notice must end on the first or last day of your tenancy period.
Example: How to work out a tenancy period
Su pays rent monthly. Her tenancy started on 15 May.
Each month:
the first day of her tenancy period is the 15th
the last day of her tenancy period is the 14th
Su has to give 2 months' notice ending on the 14th or 15th of the month.
If you are not sure what date to write
Do not worry. Our template notice to quit below includes a 'savings clause'.
A savings clause is a legal phrase added after the tenancy end date on the notice.
It means your tenancy still ends on the earliest possible date after the date in your notice.
Letter template: Tenant's notice to quit
Here is an example of what to write to your landlord if you pay rent monthly:
NOTICE TO QUIT
To: [landlord or agent name and address]
I am giving 2 months' notice to end my tenancy as required by law.
I will leave [property address] on [tenancy end date], or on the day when a complete period of my tenancy ends next after 2 months from the day this notice is served.
[Your signature]
[Your name]
Word template: Private assured tenancy notice to quit (docx 16kb)
OpenDocument template: Private assured tenancy notice to quit (odt 9kb)
Where to send your notice
Your landlord cannot tell you how to give your notice, as long as you give it in writing.
For example, you could:
send it by email
post your notice
deliver it in person
Emailing your notice to quit
Check if your agreement says you can give notice by email.
Ask your landlord or agent to confirm that they have received the email.
Posting your notice to quit
Check your tenancy agreement or statement of terms for where you need to send the notice.
Post your notice a few days early and keep proof of postage.
This is because your notice period runs from the day your landlord or agent receives it. Your tenancy might run on for another month if the landlord receives it too late.
It is okay for a notice to arrive earlier than it needs to.
Delivering your notice in person
Check the opening hours for the agent's office. For example, it might not be open on a Sunday.
Ask for a receipt from the landlord or agent when you give your notice to them.
Last updated: 7 May 2026
