You can end your private tenancy by either:

• giving a notice to your landlord

• agreeing with your landlord to end your tenancy

You need to end your tenancy one of those 2 ways.

Otherwise, you might still be responsible for rent after you leave.

Speak to your landlord or agent first

Tell them you are planning to leave.

You can agree on your last day in writing when you are ready to move. Some landlords are more flexible about leaving dates than others.

Fixed term tenancies from before 1 May 2026

Most fixed terms became rolling tenancies on 1 May because of the Renters' Rights Act.

This means your tenancy does not have a set end date.

You can ask your landlord if you can leave on the day the fixed term was due to end. If they say yes, get their agreement in writing.

If your landlord will not agree when you can leave

You need to give a notice to quit if you cannot agree about the day you can leave.

Joint tenancies

You can only agree to end a joint tenancy if all the joint tenants and your landlord agree.

But you do not need the other tenants' agreement to give your landlord a notice to quit.

More on ending a joint tenancy.

Keep paying your rent

You need to keep paying your rent until your tenancy ends.