What is the notice period for a periodic tenancy?

Asked by: Michael Doyle  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (29 votes)

For a periodic tenancy, the notice period is usually the length of the rental period (e.g., 30 days for month-to-month, 4 weeks for week-to-week), but tenants should check their agreement, as longer periods (like 60-90 days in some US areas) or specific rules (like 21 days in New Zealand) can apply, especially for landlords or longer tenancies. In the UK, tenants typically give one month or four weeks, but landlords often require two months' notice for statutory periodic tenancies, according to Reddit users, Reddit users, and Reddit users.

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.

How does a landlord terminate a periodic tenancy?

Landlords will still be able to end a tenancy when they have a genuine need, but they will rely on the grounds-based Section 8 notice procedure instead.

What is the minimum notice you can give a tenant?

The minimum notice to give a tenant varies by lease type, location, and reason, but generally ranges from 3 days for serious violations (like non-payment/damage) to 30 or 60+ days for ending month-to-month tenancies, with many states requiring written notice and some needing a "just cause" (like California), while short-term (week-to-week) or "at-will" agreements might only need a few days' notice. 

How many months notice should a landlord give a tenant?

3 months' notice for a quarterly tenant; 3 months' notice for a half-yearly tenant; and. 6 months' notice for a yearly tenant.

What Is a Periodic Tenancy? | Renting Tips

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What not to say to your landlord?

When talking to a landlord, avoid lying, badmouthing previous landlords, mentioning illegal activities, promising unrealistic payments (like cash or future crypto), or making excessive demands, as it signals you might be a problematic or unreliable tenant; instead, be honest about your ability to pay and respect lease terms to build trust and a positive relationship. 

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.

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.

Can my landlord evict me on a periodic tenancy?

During a periodic tenancy, the landlord cannot evict the tenant unless they use the process in either Section 21 or Section 8. The Renters' Rights Act is due to come into force on 1 May 2026, and it will turn all new and existing tenancies for private renters into open-ended periodic tenancies.

What are the risks of a periodic tenancy?

Sudden tenant departure: One of the primary risks for landlords in a periodic tenancy is the potential for tenants to leave suddenly. Given the relatively short notice periods required in periodic agreements, landlords may find themselves facing unexpected void periods.

How does a landlord end a periodic tenancy?

For a periodic tenancy with a rental period longer than 2 months, you must give notice equal to that rental period. To evict tenants following a tenancy agreement breach, the amount of notice ranges from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the grounds for eviction.

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 often can you increase rent on a periodic tenancy?

For a periodic tenancy (rolling on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis) your landlord cannot normally increase the rent more than once a year without your agreement.

What are the benefits of periodic tenancy?

The benefits include:

  • Periodic tenancy is flexible. For instance, when landlords want their premises vacated, they can quickly issue a notice without waiting for the expiration date, as in a fixed-term tenancy.
  • Less paperwork is needed. Tenancy contracts require several legal formalities that can be time-consuming.

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.

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 the best excuse to break a lease?

The best excuses to break a lease legally without penalty are usually active military duty, uninhabitable living conditions (like no heat, mold, major repairs ignored by landlord), or being a victim of domestic violence/stalking, as federal and state laws often protect these situations. Other strong, negotiable reasons include a landlord harassing you, a major health crisis, or a job transfer, but these often require landlord negotiation, finding a replacement tenant, or paying a fee, rather than being automatic legal outs. 

Is a periodic tenancy protected?

The tenant under a periodic tenancy of business premises has protection under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and so any notice to quit given by the landlord takes effect subject to the provisions of the Act.

When can a landlord end a periodic occupation contract?

If you have a periodic standard contract, your landlord can only evict you by giving you written notice and getting a possession order from the county court. Your landlord doesn't need to provide a reason to end a periodic standard occupation contract.

What do landlords fear the most?

What Landlords Fear Most. We conducted a pre-Halloween survey where we asked the question, “What is the scariest part of being a landlord?” Of the options offered, ranging from tenant screening worries to foreclosures and finance, one area emerged as a strong concern: that a tenant would damage a rental unit.

How much notice does a landlord have to give?

A landlord's required notice period varies significantly by location and lease type, but generally ranges from 30 to 60 days for ending month-to-month tenancies, with shorter times (like 3-10 days) for lease violations or non-payment of rent, and often no notice needed for fixed-term leases ending on their stated date, though specific state/local laws and lease terms always dictate the exact amount. 

What is the 2% rule in rental property?

The 2% Rule in rental property investing is a quick screening tool where investors look for properties where the monthly rent is at least 2% of the purchase price, indicating strong cash flow potential (e.g., a $100,000 house should rent for $2,000/month). It's a simple guideline to identify promising deals but ignores crucial factors like expenses, financing, and location, requiring deeper analysis for actual profitability, especially in costly markets where it's harder to achieve.