Ending a tenancy yourself:
When the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on the 1 May 2026, most private rented homes moved to a new type of agreement called an Assured Periodic Tenancy. These tenancies have no fixed end date, giving renters more flexibility and control.
Under the new rules, tenants can end their tenancy at any time by giving their landlord at least two months’ written notice, and the notice must end on a rent payment day.
This means you will no longer be tied into minimum fixed terms, such as six or twelve‑month contracts, and you won’t face early‑termination penalties for leaving before a contract end date, because fixed‑term contracts will no longer exist
If your landlord wants you to leave:
From 1 May 2026, under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords are no longer able to use Section 21 “no‑fault” eviction notices. Instead, a landlord will only be able to ask a tenant to leave by relying on specific legal grounds for possession, such as needing to sell the property, moving back in themselves, or dealing with serious rent arrears or antisocial behaviour. Landlords must follow the updated Section 8 process, which has been expanded with more grounds and clearer rules on when each can be used.
If your landlord wants you to leave, they must give you a valid written notice explaining the reason and follow the correct legal steps. They cannot simply ask you to leave without notice or without meeting one of the permitted grounds. Your tenancy will continue unless a court order’s otherwise, and the landlord cannot evict you without first going through the proper possession process.
Tenants are encouraged to seek advice early if they receive a notice. You should check whether the landlord has used a valid ground, whether the notice period is correct, and whether the landlord has complied with all other legal requirements of the Renters’ Rights Act—for example, rules around rent increases, written tenancy agreements, and non‑discrimination.
If you are unsure about the validity of a notice or feel pressured to leave, contact our housing team. They can help you understand your rights, check whether the notice is lawful, and offer support if you are facing potential homelessness.
Important:
Landlords must follow the correct legal process to evict you.
They cannot:
- change the locks without a court order
- harass you to leave
These are criminal offences.
