Ending the tenancy
As the Renters' Rights Act 2025 is now in force most private tenants will now be on a periodic assured tenancy; that is a tenancy that carries on usually month by month with no end date.
The rules to end a tenancy have changed and a big part of this change is the removal of no-fault evictions, also called a section 21 notice. However, if you were a tenant prior to 1st May 2026 and were on an assured shorthold tenancy then your landlord may have been allowed to serve a section 21 notice until 30th April 2026. If this applies to you then the following guidance will be useful: Notices of possession served before 1 May 2026: a guide for tenants who are renting from a private landlord - GOV.UK
In all other cases a landlord will now have to use a different eviction notice, called a section 8 notice to quit. There have to be one or more Grounds (reason) for possession and there are rules for how much notice your landlord must give depending on the type of Ground they are relying on. This is usually 4 months but it can be shorter for some grounds. See: Grounds for possession: guidance for tenants - GOV.UK If your landlord has given you a correct notice of eviction and you do not leave by the end of the notice period, your landlord can apply to court to get their property back. This is called applying for a possession order. This is the only way to legally evict a tenant, our page on illegal eviction provides details on what to do if your landlord tries to evict you without following this correct procedure: Illegal evictions – Problems when renting privately – Newham Council
As the tenant you also have the right to end your tenancy. You can do this by giving 2 months' notice in writing, such as letter, email or text. This should be on the day when the rent is due or the day before the rent is due. You will need to continue to pay rent during the notice period. You and your landlord can agree to end the tenancy earlier. You and your landlord can agree in writing to have a shorter notice period.
It is also important to note that if you live with your landlord then you may not be a tenant and these procedures will not apply to you, as you may be a lodger. See Renting a room in someone's home: lodgers: Overview - GOV.UK for further guidance.
