Skip to main content
Shelter Logo
England

How to end a periodic tenancy

The law is changing

The Renters' Rights Act will change how much notice you have to give to end a periodic tenancy.

For now, your rights stay the same.

We expect the changes to start in 2026.

How to give your notice

The notice period runs from the day the notice arrives with the landlord or agent.

You need to make sure you have enough time if you are posting your notice.

It's okay for a notice to arrive earlier than it needs to. But if it arrives even 1 day late, your tenancy could run on for another month.

Check your most recent agreement

This should say where and how to give your notice. Do what the agreement says.

If the agreement does not say anything about where to send your notice, you can:

  • send it to the address you have for your landlord or agent

  • deliver it in person and get proof, for example, a signed receipt

Where to send your notice

Landlords must give their tenants an address for the service of legal notices. This could be an agent's office or somewhere else.

If you do not have an address for your landlord or agent, you might find it on the:

  • deposit protection information

  • gas safety certificate

  • Land Registry

Posting your notice to quit

Allow a few days for postage. Use Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class. This service aims to deliver on the next working day including Saturdays. You will get a signature on delivery.

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.

Emailing your notice to quit

Only use email to send your notice if either:

  • your tenancy agreement says you can give notice by email

  • your landlord has agreed to accept notice by email and you have proof of this

After you give notice

You should be ready to move out by the end of the notice.

Your right to live in your home and responsibility for rent will end when the notice ends.

If you owe rent

Try to reach an agreement before you leave if you owe rent.

Your landlord could:

Last updated: 29 October 2025

Step 1 of 3
How helpful was this page?Select an option from 1 - Not helpful at all to 5 - Very helpful, with 1 - Not helpful at all being Not helpful at all and 5 - Very helpful being Very helpful