Ending your tenancy as a private tenant
To end your tenancy, you must tell your landlord in writing. This is called giving notice. This ends the legal agreement so you can move out.
How to give notice depends on the type of tenancy you have.
You’ll owe rent until the last day of the notice period. Your landlord cannot pressure you into leaving.
The rules are different if your landlord wants to end the tenancy or evict you.
Ending a private residential tenancy
If you have a private residential tenancy, you can give notice at any time.
You must give notice in writing. This means by email, letter, or by giving it to your landlord in person. Your notice must say:
- that you want to end the tenancy
- the date on which your tenancy ends
You must give your landlord at least 28 days’ notice (4 weeks). If you send it by email or letter, you must allow 2 extra days for them to receive it.
You can ask your landlord to agree to a shorter notice period. If they agree, get them to confirm it in writing.
Example notice period
To end your tenancy on 31 October, your written notice must say that the tenancy will end on 31 October.
If you're sending it by email or letter, you must send it by 1 October.
If you’re giving written notice in person, you must give it to your landlord by 3 October.
Ending a joint private residential tenancy
If you’re a joint tenant, you must all agree to end the tenancy together.
You cannot end the tenancy by yourself.
You can do this by either:
- signing the same notice and sending it to your landlord
- each sending your landlord notice individually, with the same tenancy end date
Ending another type of tenancy
Assured tenancy
Follow the process written in your tenancy agreement. It should say how to end your tenancy.
If it does not, you can only end the tenancy at the end of the fixed term.
You must give your landlord:
- 28 days’ notice, if your fixed term was for less than 4 months
- 40 days’ notice, if your fixed term was for more than 4 months
You must give them notice in writing.
Short assured tenancy
Follow the process written in your tenancy agreement. It should say how to end your tenancy.
If it does not, you can only end the tenancy at the end of the fixed term.
You must give your landlord 40 days’ notice in writing.
Regulated tenancy
Follow the process written in your tenancy agreement. It should say how to end your tenancy.
If it does not, you must give your landlord at least 3 months’ notice in writing.
Getting ready to move out
You can move out at any time after you give notice.
Your landlord should tell you the checkout process for moving out day.
This can include things like:
- what time they expect you to leave the property
- how to return the keys
Check the inventory
Check your inventory and make sure nothing is missing or damaged.
Take final meter readings and keep proof from the suppliers that the final bill has been paid.
Property viewings
Your landlord may want to arrange viewings for new tenants. They must get your permission to enter the property and give you the right amount of notice.
Check the rules on allowing access to the property for inspections.
Getting your deposit back
If you paid a deposit, check the process for getting your deposit back at the end of the tenancy.