At a glance
- To leave, give your landlord written notice. The maximum a landlord can ask for is two months, and it must end on a rent day or the day before.[1]
- If your landlord wants you out, they need a Section 8 ground and notice of between two weeks and four months, depending on the ground, and then a court order.[2][3]
- Illegal eviction and harassment are criminal offences.[4]
- Free advice is available from the moment you receive written notice.[5]
Rules and figures last checked October 2026.
When you want to leave
- How much notice. Your agreement should state it. The maximum a landlord can require is two months, and if the agreement is silent you give at least two months.[1]
- When it ends. The notice must end the tenancy on a day when rent is due, or the day before.[1]
- How to give it. In writing: a letter, email or text. The landlord cannot require a particular method.[1]
- Rent during notice. You still pay rent until the tenancy ends. Shorter notice needs written agreement.[1]
- Joint tenants. One joint tenant can usually end the tenancy for everyone. Shorter notice needs all the others to agree.[1]
When your landlord wants you to leave
Your landlord needs a legal ground and must serve a Section 8 notice naming it. Notice periods vary by ground:[2]
| Ground | Notice |
|---|---|
| Landlord or family moving in (1), or selling (1A) | 4 months |
| Serious rent arrears (8) | 4 weeks |
| Some rent arrears (10), persistent late payment (11) | 4 weeks |
| Breach of the tenancy (12), damage to the property (13) | 2 weeks |
| Antisocial behaviour (14) | No notice period, but no order for 14 days from the notice |
- Selling or moving in cannot be used in the first 12 months of a tenancy.[2]
- Serious arrears means at least three months’ rent (13 weeks if paid weekly or fortnightly) owed on the day of the notice and at the hearing, and delayed Universal Credit does not count.[2]
- You do not have to leave when the notice expires. The landlord must get a court order and a warrant for bailiffs. Check that your deposit is protected, because a court cannot make most possession orders if it is not.[3]
Illegal eviction and getting help
If you receive a notice, the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service gives free advice from the moment written notice arrives, whatever your finances.[5] See your rights as a tenant, and when it is time to move, the deposits guide explains getting your money back.
Sources
Every figure and rule above comes from one of these, read in October 2026. The dates are the ones each publisher shows as when the page was last updated.
- [1]How to end your tenancy (assured periodic tenancies: a guide for tenants) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [2]Grounds for possession: guidance for tenants (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) · page updated 1 May 2026
- [3]If your landlord wants to end your tenancy (assured periodic tenancies: a guide for tenants) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [4]Harassment and illegal evictions (private renting for tenants) (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK
- [5]Legal aid for possession proceedings (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK · page updated 30 August 2023
This is a general guide to renting in England, not legal advice. Your tenancy agreement and your own circumstances decide what applies to you. If you are facing eviction or a dispute, get advice from your council, a solicitor or a housing advice service.