Periodic Tenancy

A periodic tenancy is a rolling tenancy that continues from one period to the next, most commonly month to month, until either the landlord or the tenant legally brings it to an end. Unlike a fixed-term tenancy, there is no set end date. The Renters' Rights Act makes the periodic tenancy the standard form of tenancy in the private rented sector from 1 May 2026, abolishing new fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies and converting all existing ones to periodic tenancies on commencement.

How a periodic tenancy arises

A periodic tenancy can arise in two ways. It can be created from the start, the tenancy agreement is drafted as a periodic arrangement with no fixed end date. Alternatively, it arises automatically when a fixed-term tenancy ends and the tenant remains in the property with the landlord's consent without signing a new fixed term. This is called a statutory periodic tenancy. The period of the tenancy and therefore the minimum notice period, usually follows how rent is paid, so a monthly rent payment creates a monthly periodic tenancy.

What a periodic tenancy agreement should contain

A periodic tenancy agreement is a written contract between landlord and tenant that sets out the terms of the arrangement. Under the post-Renters' Rights Act regime, all new tenancy agreements must be periodic from the outset. A well-drafted periodic tenancy agreement should cover: the names of all parties, the property address, the start date, the rent amount and payment frequency, the notice period required from each party to end the tenancy, any permitted payments such as a tenancy deposit and how it is protected, the obligations of both landlord and tenant regarding repairs and property condition, any restrictions on use such as no pets or no subletting, and how rent increases will be handled. Under the Renters' Rights Act all increases must follow the Section 13 notice, calculate the new rent under Section 13.

Under the Renters' Rights Act, landlords must provide tenants with a written statement of the tenancy terms. Failure to do so can affect a landlord's ability to recover possession and may attract penalties. Our tenancy agreement template guide covers exactly what an assured periodic tenancy agreement must include from May 2026, and our tenancy agreement guide explains the post-commencement obligations for existing tenancies.

Notice periods in a periodic tenancy

To end a periodic tenancy, the tenant must give the correct notice period set out in the agreement, usually at least one full tenancy period in writing, so at least one month for a monthly tenancy. Under the Renters' Rights Act, tenants must give a minimum of two months' notice regardless of the contractual notice period. A landlord wishing to end the tenancy must use the statutory grounds for possession under the Renters' Rights Act, the old no-fault Section 21 route has been abolished for all periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026. The landlord cannot simply give notice to quit without relying on a valid ground.

Periodic tenancy vs fixed-term tenancy

The key practical difference is certainty. A fixed-term tenancy gave both parties a defined period during which neither could end the arrangement except via a break clause. A periodic tenancy is open-ended, it continues until notice is served, offering tenants greater security and flexibility while requiring landlords to rely on possession grounds rather than expiry of the term to recover the property. Under the new regime, all assured tenancies in the private rented sector are periodic, with the stronger safeguards on notice, eviction, and redress that come with that.

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Also see: Fixed-term tenancy · Statutory periodic tenancy · Assured shorthold tenancy · Assured tenancy · Tenancy agreement · Notice period · Grounds for possession · Section 21 · Section 13 · Break clause · Tenancy deposit · Permitted payments · Repairs · Property condition · Eviction · Redress · Private rented sector · Renters' Rights Act · Landlord · Tenant · Tenancy agreement form UK