How does a tenant end a periodic tenancy?

Asked by: Miss Amely Bosco PhD  |  Last update: May 3, 2026
Score: 5/5 (21 votes)

To end a periodic tenancy, a tenant must give their landlord written notice, typically for a period at least equal to the tenancy's rent cycle (e.g., one month for month-to-month), ending on the last day of a rental period, though some jurisdictions allow shorter notice like 21 days, and mutual agreement with the landlord is also an option.

How does a tenant terminate a periodic tenancy?

You can end your tenancy at any time by giving your landlord notice if you have a periodic tenancy. You'll have to pay your rent to the end of your notice period.

How do you terminate a periodic tenancy?

Landlords can end a periodic tenancy with 90 days' written notice without giving a reason, the landlord must not end the tenancy to get back at you for exercising your rights or because they are discriminating against you.

What are the drawbacks of a periodic tenancy?

The main disadvantage to landlords with tenants on periodic tenancies is the fact the tenant can up and leave fairly quickly; there is no longer-term surety of income for the landlord.

What are valid reasons to end a tenancy?

Landlords must now provide a valid reason—such as rent arrears, property sale, or tenant misconduct—when seeking to end a tenancy. These reforms aim to improve clarity and fairness while protecting landlords' ability to manage their properties effectively.

What Is a Periodic Tenancy? | Renting Tips

17 related questions found

What are the 7 permitted grounds to end a tenancy?

The 7 permitted grounds to end a tenancy often fall under "at-fault" (tenant behavior) and "no-fault" (landlord's legitimate reasons like personal use or sale) categories, commonly including nonpayment of rent, lease violations, property damage, nuisance/crime, landlord/family needing the property, landlord's plans to sell/renovate, or sale to an eligible entity, varying slightly by jurisdiction but generally balancing tenant security with landlord necessities, as highlighted in UK's Renters' Rights Bill context. 

What's the quickest way to get someone out of your house?

The Landlord and Tenant Branch is eviction court, and you do not have to be a landlord to file a case to evict someone. You do not have to use the Landlord and Tenant Branch, but it is usually the fastest way to get a judgment to remove a person from your property.

What are the rules for a periodic tenancy?

A periodic tenancy agreement has no end date. It continues until either the tenant or the landlord gives the correct written notice to end the periodic tenancy. If a fixed-term tenancy is coming to an end and neither party gives the correct notice, the fixed-term tenancy automatically becomes a period tenancy.

What are the risks of a periodic tenancy?

Abrupt lease termination: On the flip side, tenants in a periodic tenancy may face the risk of abrupt lease termination. If the landlord decides to reclaim the property—for personal use, sale, or moving family of their own in - tenants may find themselves having to find new accommodation at short notice.

How to end a periodic joint tenancy?

Give a 'notice to quit' to your landlord. This ends your joint periodic tenancy and responsibility for rent. You do not need permission from the other tenants or the landlord to do this. But you should to tell the other joint tenants because their tenancy also ends.

Can my landlord evict me on a periodic tenancy?

Assured shorthold tenancies ( ASTs ) Your landlord can take back their property without giving any reason if you have either: periodic tenancy (sometimes called a 'rolling tenancy') a fixed-term tenancy that has ended.

How can a tenant end a tenancy?

Requirements for a valid Notice of Termination

  1. Be in writing (not by email)
  2. Be signed by you.
  3. Include the date the notice is sent. ...
  4. Give the date the tenancy will end. ...
  5. Give the reason for ending the tenancy (only if you are leaving due to a landlord breach – see above).

What is the best excuse to break a lease?

The "best" excuse to break a lease legally without penalty usually involves military deployment, domestic violence, or if the landlord creates uninhabitable living conditions (like no heat, major mold, pests), which are often protected by law. For other common reasons like job changes or financial hardship, you must check your lease for an early termination clause or negotiate with the landlord, often by helping find a new tenant. 

How do you end a periodic tenancy?

Happy house: When it's time to move on, tenants on a periodic tenancy must give 21 days' written notice, unless you agree on a shorter time with the landlord. Take your things with you and leave the property clean and tidy.

What rights do you have on a periodic tenancy?

Every tenant with an assured or assured shorthold tenancy (AST) is entitled to remain in the property on a periodic tenancy, until either they end the tenancy and leave or the landlord regains possession via a court order.

Why would a landlord want a periodic tenancy?

Benefits of a Periodic Tenancy for Landlords

A periodic tenancy can have wide-ranging benefits for both landlord and tenant, including; Increased flexibility. If you suddenly need to regain possession of your property, a periodic tenancy speeds up this process as you don't have to wait until the end of a fixed period.

How does a periodic tenancy end?

You can end a rolling or periodic tenancy by either: agreement with your landlord. giving a legal 'notice to quit'

What are the drawbacks of periodic tenancy?

Disadvantages of a periodic tenancy include less stability, as either party can end the tenancy with notice, potentially frequent rent changes, and uncertainty over the tenancy duration.

What is the 30% rule for renting?

The 30% rent rule is a guideline suggesting you spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income (before taxes) on housing costs (rent + utilities) to ensure financial balance, a standard used by lenders and landlords, but it's increasingly seen as outdated or unrealistic in high-cost areas, with experts recommending a personalized budget considering other debts, location, and savings goals.
 

What are the cons of a periodic tenancy?

Cons of periodic tenancies

Rolling tenancies don't offer the same level of security. Tenants will be able to leave with just two months' notice, potentially leaving landlords with reduced or no rental income at short notice. This makes financial planning trickier for landlords.

What not to say to your landlord?

When talking to a landlord, avoid badmouthing previous landlords, lying about pets or lease terms, making unreasonable demands (like painting black or having many guests), complaining excessively, mentioning illegal activities, or asking intrusive questions; instead, focus on being a responsible tenant who pays rent on time and respects the property to build trust and a good rental history.
 

What is the minimum notice you can give a tenant?

The minimum notice a landlord must give a tenant varies widely by location and reason, but common minimums are 3 to 7 days for week-to-week tenancies or minor violations, 30 days for month-to-month leases, and longer (60-90 days) for more significant "no-fault" terminations or long-term tenancies, always depending on specific state/local laws and the lease agreement itself. 

How do I get someone out of my house that refuses to leave?

“In California, for example, if they're paying rent and you want them out, they may be entitled to 30 days' notice. If they're there for more than one year, it's 60 days' notice. And every time you accept rent, the clock starts again,” he says.

How quickly can a tenant be evicted?

A landlord can evict a tenant relatively quickly, often within a few weeks to a couple of months, but it's a legal process requiring specific steps like serving notices (ranging from 3 to 60 days depending on the reason and state laws) and court filings, with timelines varying greatly by jurisdiction and tenant response, with failure to pay rent often being the fastest route to eviction. 

Can I call the cops to get someone out of my house?

Yes, you can call the police to have someone removed from your home, especially if they are a guest who refuses to leave after you've withdrawn permission, making them a trespasser, but it's complicated if they have any claim as a tenant, and police are often reluctant to get involved in civil matters like evictions, directing you to the courts instead. Call police immediately for violence or threats, but for general refusal to leave, you must differentiate between a guest (police can help) and a tenant (requires formal eviction process) to avoid legal trouble yourself.