Tenant's notice to quit
A tenant’s notice to quit is the formal notice a tenant gives you to end their tenancy and move out. For most periodic assured tenancies, the tenant can end the agreement by giving written notice that meets the minimum length and timing rules in the tenancy and in law. For example at least one full rental period, or a set number of weeks.
A valid tenant’s notice is powerful, once correctly given, it will normally end the tenancy on the date stated, whether or not you “accept” it. If the tenant stays beyond that date, they may become an unauthorised occupier and you can seek possession, often relying on their own notice as evidence that the tenancy has ended.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, where most tenancies are open-ended and “no-fault” landlord notices are abolished, the tenant’s right to give notice becomes the main way tenancies end by choice. That makes it more important to:
Check that any notice you receive is clear, in writing and correctly dated.
Confirm acceptance in writing and agree move-out arrangements.
Avoid “trapping” tenants with unfairly long notice clauses, which may be challengeable.
Also see our landlord blog articles.
