Moving out without paying on: two months' notice, given on the right day

The classic mistake when moving out is to tell the landlord "I'm leaving at the end of the month" and consider it done. Since 1 May 2026 notice works differently: two months, in writing, and the start date is tied not to your moving van but to the day the rent falls due.

What changed in the tenancy itself?

Almost every existing assured shorthold tenancy became an assured periodic tenancy on 1 May 2026. New agreements with a private landlord are assured periodic tenancies too.

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A periodic tenancy rolls on — weekly or monthly — and cannot have an end date. If your agreement still has one written into it, it no longer applies.

Nothing has to be re-signed. Where you already had a written agreement, your landlord or their letting agent had to give you a government-produced Information Sheet about the changes before 31 May 2026, and a fine is possible if they did not. Without a written agreement, the landlord must give you written information setting out the key terms.

How do you give notice properly?

Two months' notice. It has to be in writing — a letter, an email, even a text message.

And here is the detail that costs people money: it has to be given on the day the rent is due, or the day before. Not on any date in the month that suits you.

You keep paying rent throughout the notice period. You can leave earlier if your landlord agrees to end the tenancy early, and the two of you can agree a shorter notice period — in writing.

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What happens if you give less than two months?

Your landlord can require a payment. It is capped: no more than the rent due until the minimum notice period would have ended, that being two months starting on the day rent is due.

Nothing above that can be demanded, and this is a rule rather than a matter of negotiation. You can always ask your landlord for a shorter notice period, which is sometimes cheaper than paying for two months of an empty flat.

What if the landlord is the one ending it?

They now have to give a reason, called a ground for possession. The "no fault" section 21 route has been unavailable since 1 May 2026, even if your tenancy agreement still mentions it. The exception is cases where the court process started before that date: some of those can still be completed afterwards.

The notice has to be on the correct form and give the correct amount of time — usually four months, though some grounds carry a shorter period.

The lawful grounds include these: the landlord needs to sell the property or move into it, which cannot be used within the first 12 months of the tenancy; a student house in multiple occupation, where a student does not move out at the end of the academic year; rent not paid on time; and antisocial behaviour by you, by others living with you, or by visitors. The full list is published in separate grounds for possession guidance.

If the notice was correct and you have not left by the end of it, the landlord applies to court for a possession order. They cannot simply remove you themselves.

Who is outside these rules?

Tenants of a housing association or local council, people in student halls of residence, and lodgers — anyone renting a room in the owner's own home. Different rules apply to them.

Where to go if the landlord breaks the rules

Shelter and Citizens Advice give free support. Your local council now has expanded powers to investigate and take action.

For some offences — failing to licence a property, for instance — you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a rent repayment order. The tribunal can order your landlord to repay some or all of the rent you paid over a period of up to two years.