This calculator shows the notice period that applies to your situation under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which came into force in England on 1 May 2026. Select whether you are a renter giving notice, a renter who has received a notice from your landlord, or a landlord serving notice. The calculator will return the required notice period and the relevant dates.
How to use this tool
- Select which situation applies to you.
- Answer the questions that appear for your path.
- Your notice period and relevant dates will appear below the form.
Understanding your results
If you are a renter giving notice
Your notice period starts on the day you give written notice, not the day you decide to leave. Notice must expire on your rent payment date. If you give notice mid-month, the 2-month period rolls forward to the next valid rent payment date after 2 months have passed. Notice can be given in writing by letter, email, or text message.
If you have received a notice from your landlord
The notice period is the minimum your landlord must give you before they can apply to court for a possession order. Even after the notice expires, your landlord cannot remove you from the property without a court order. Receiving a notice does not mean you must leave by that date.
If you are a landlord serving notice
The notice period shown is the minimum before you can apply to court for possession. The court process adds further time on top of the notice period. Use this figure for planning. It is not a guaranteed possession date. You must serve notice using the correct Form 3 Section 8 notice and state the ground clearly.
Legal context
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026. It abolished fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England and replaced them with periodic assured tenancies. A fixed-term AST is a tenancy that runs for a set period, such as 6 or 12 months. All new tenancies from 1 May 2026 are periodic, meaning they run month to month from the start.
Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notices cannot be served from 1 May 2026. If you received a Section 21 notice dated after this date, it has no legal effect. Landlords must now serve a Section 8 notice under the Housing Act 1988 and state a legal ground for possession.
Renters must give a minimum of 2 months’ written notice to end a tenancy. This increased from 1 month for periodic ASTs under the previous rules. Tenants who signed a tenancy agreement before 1 May 2026 may have a shorter notice period written into their agreement. That shorter period remains valid if it was agreed in writing at the time of signing.
Notice period rules differ in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland uses the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 framework. Wales has equivalent rules under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. This calculator covers England only.
Sources: Renters’ Rights Act 2025; Housing Act 1988 (as amended); Shelter England guidance updated June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum notice period for a renter giving notice in England from May 2026?
From 1 May 2026, renters on assured periodic tenancies in England must give their landlord at least 2 months’ written notice. This replaced the previous 1-month minimum that applied to periodic assured shorthold tenancies. The 2-month period starts on the day you give written notice, not the day you decide to leave.
Can a landlord still serve a Section 21 notice after 1 May 2026?
No. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 no-fault eviction notices in England from 1 May 2026. A Section 21 notice served on or after that date has no legal effect. If your landlord wants to recover possession, they must serve a Section 8 notice under the Housing Act 1988 and cite a valid statutory ground.
What notice periods apply under Section 8 and do they vary by ground?
Yes. Section 8 notice periods depend on the ground the landlord relies on. Ground 8 (at least 2 months’ rent arrears) requires 4 weeks’ notice. Ground 14 (anti-social behaviour) allows the landlord to apply to court immediately on service. Some grounds under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988, as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, require up to 4 months’ notice. Check your notice to see which ground is cited and look up the minimum period for that ground.
When does a notice period start on a periodic tenancy?
On a monthly periodic tenancy, the notice period starts on the day written notice is given. The notice must expire on a rent payment date. If notice is served mid-month, the period rolls forward until the next valid rent payment date after the minimum notice period has elapsed. This means your actual move-out date may be slightly later than 2 months from the date you give notice.
Does notice need to align with the rent payment date?
Yes. For a periodic tenancy, notice from a renter must expire on a rent payment date. If your rent is due on the 1st of the month and you give notice on the 15th, your notice cannot expire until the 1st of a month at least 2 months later. The calculator accounts for this alignment automatically when you enter your rent payment date.
Can a renter give notice to leave during a fixed-term tenancy?
Generally no. A fixed-term tenancy is a contract to remain until the end date. You cannot give notice to leave early unless your tenancy agreement includes a break clause or your landlord agrees to an early surrender. Fixed-term tenancies entered before 1 May 2026 continue to their contracted end date, after which they become periodic. New fixed terms are not available from 1 May 2026 in England.
Does notice have to be given in writing?
Yes. Notice to end a tenancy must be in writing. This includes letter, email, or text message. An oral statement that you intend to leave does not count as valid notice. Keep a copy of your written notice and note the date it was sent or delivered so you have evidence of when the notice period started.
What can a renter do if the landlord ignores their notice and refuses to release them?
If you have given valid written notice and the landlord refuses to acknowledge it, the notice is still legally effective. You are entitled to vacate the property on the expiry date. If the landlord withholds your deposit in response, you can apply to your deposit protection scheme’s dispute resolution service or to the county court. Contact Shelter or Citizens Advice if you face pressure not to leave.
How do I count the notice period correctly?
The notice period starts on the day after written notice is served. For a 2-month notice period on a monthly periodic tenancy, count forward 2 calendar months from the day after notice is given, then align to the next rent payment date if that date has not yet been reached. The calculator does this automatically when you enter your notice date and rent payment day.
How does notice work on a joint tenancy?
On a joint tenancy, all tenants hold the tenancy together. If one joint tenant gives valid notice, the notice ends the tenancy for all parties, including those who did not give notice. This is a significant legal risk for joint tenants. Before one joint tenant gives notice, all parties should agree the position and take advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice if there is disagreement.
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