How much notice must a tenant give? UK rules by nation
Last updated 27 Oct 2026
A tenant must give at least two months' written notice in England, 28 days in Scotland, four weeks in Wales and four weeks in Northern Ireland, unless the landlord agrees a shorter period in writing. Joint tenancies are where the nations differ most: in Scotland one joint tenant cannot yet end the tenancy alone, while in Wales one joint contract-holder can leave and the contract carries on.
| Nation | Minimum tenant's notice | Shorter by agreement? | One joint tenant leaving |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 months, in writing, ending with a rent period | Yes, in writing, agreed by all joint tenants | A notice from one joint tenant is still valid |
| Scotland | 28 days from the day the landlord receives it, in writing | Yes, in writing | All joint tenants must agree to end it; a new route for one tenant starts 1 April 2027 |
| Wales | 4 weeks under a periodic standard contract | Not set out in the Act | One joint contract-holder can withdraw on 1 month's notice; the contract continues |
| Northern Ireland | 4 weeks in writing; 12 weeks after 10 years | Not set out in the Order | Not set out in nidirect or the Order |
England: two months' notice
Since 1 May 2026, a tenant of a private assured tenancy in England must give notice "not less than two months before the date on which the notice is to take effect". That rule is in section 5(1ZA) of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, inserted by section 20 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
It came into force on 1 May 2026 under SI 2026/421, regulation 2. GOV.UK's overview for tenants says most existing assured shorthold tenancies "automatically became assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026". So a tenant who signed a fixed term before then can now leave on two months' notice.
The notice must be in writing. GOV.UK's Guide to the Renters' Rights Act says "The end date of the tenancy will need to align with the end of a rent period." The overview for tenants gives letter, email or text as examples, and says the tenant keeps paying rent during the notice period.
A landlord cannot insist on a particular way of giving notice. New section 5A of the 1977 Act says any term binding a tenant "as to the means of giving a notice in writing" is "of no effect".
England: shorter notice and withdrawing a notice
A landlord and tenant can agree a shorter period, but only in writing. With a joint tenancy, section 5(1ZB) says the agreement "is not valid unless it is made between the landlord and all of the tenants".
A tenant can withdraw a notice before it takes effect only if the landlord agrees in writing, under section 5A(3). For a joint tenancy, all the tenants must agree.
England: joint tenants
One joint tenant can give notice without the others. Section 5(1ZC) says the rules do not affect "the validity of any notice to quit premises let under a joint assured tenancy that is given by only one or some of the tenants".
If one joint tenant gives notice and the others want to stay, talk to all of them before the date in the notice. You can agree a new tenancy with those who remain. The Act does not say more than that the notice is valid, so take advice on its effect if the others dispute it.
Scotland: 28 days
A tenant ends a private residential tenancy by giving the landlord notice under section 48 of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. It ends on the day the notice states.
Section 49 says the notice must be in writing and given "freely and without coercion of any kind". The minimum period starts on the day the landlord receives the notice and ends 28 days later, unless the landlord and tenant agree a different period in writing.
mygov.scot's guide for landlords says a tenant who sends notice by email or letter "must allow 2 extra days for you to receive it". If you agree a shorter period, confirm it in writing.
Scotland: joint tenants
Today, all joint tenants must agree to end the tenancy. Section 78(3) of the 2016 Act reads "the tenant" as all the joint tenants. mygov.scot says joint tenants "must all agree to end the tenancy together", by signing one notice or each sending one with the same end date.
That changes on 1 April 2027. Section 44 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 adds a process for one joint tenant to end the tenancy for all. It starts on 1 April 2027 under SSI 2026/115, regulation 2.
The Scottish Government's ending a tenancy page explains the steps. The leaving tenant gives the other joint tenants and the landlord a written pre-notice of between 2 and 3 months. They then serve a 28-day notice on the landlord, with a copy to the other joint tenants.
Wales: four weeks
In Wales, a contract-holder ends a periodic standard occupation contract by notice under section 168 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Section 169 says the date "may not be less than four weeks after the day on which the notice is given to the landlord".
Under a fixed-term contract, the contract-holder can only end it early if it has a break clause. Section 190 sets at least four weeks' notice under that clause. The Welsh Government's FAQ for contract-holders says "The notice period is a minimum of four weeks." These rules have applied since 1 December 2022.
Wales: joint contract-holders
One joint contract-holder can leave and the contract carries on with the others. Under section 130, they give the landlord a withdrawal notice and a written warning to the other joint contract-holders. The landlord must warn them too.
A section 168 notice from some but not all of the joint contract-holders is treated as a withdrawal notice. The minimum period for a withdrawal notice is one month, under regulation 18 of the Renting Homes (Supplementary Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2022.
Section 52 says the remaining joint contract-holders keep all the rights and obligations. The one who leaves stays liable for what built up before they left.
Northern Ireland: four weeks
A tenant's notice to quit a private tenancy is valid only if it is in writing and gives at least 4 weeks' notice, or 12 weeks if the tenancy has lasted more than 10 years. That is article 14A of the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, inserted from 28 April 2022 by section 11 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
nidirect's private rent and tenancies page says a tenant who leaves a fixed term early without agreement "could still be liable for the rent until the end of the tenancy agreement". Neither nidirect nor the Order sets out a separate rule for one joint tenant's notice.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a tenant have to give in England? At least two months in writing, ending with a rent period, unless the landlord agrees a shorter period in writing.
Can a tenant give less than two months' notice? Yes, if the landlord agrees in writing. In a joint tenancy, all the tenants must be party to that agreement.
Can a tenant leave a fixed-term tenancy early in England? Yes. Most fixed terms became periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026, so the tenant can give two months' notice.
Can one joint tenant give notice in England? Yes. The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 says a notice from only one or some joint tenants is still valid.
How much notice does a tenant give in Scotland? At least 28 days in writing, counted from the day the landlord receives it, unless a different period is agreed in writing.
Can one joint tenant end a tenancy in Scotland? Not yet: all joint tenants must agree. From 1 April 2027, one joint tenant can end it for all after a 2 to 3 month pre-notice.
What notice does a contract-holder give in Wales? At least four weeks under a periodic standard contract. One joint contract-holder can withdraw on one month's notice and the contract continues with the others.
How much notice does a tenant give in Northern Ireland? At least 4 weeks in writing, or 12 weeks if the tenancy has lasted more than 10 years.
When a tenant gives notice
Check the date in the notice against the minimum period, reply in writing, and arrange the check-out against your inventory. Letbook is a compliance tracker for landlords in all four UK nations. It keeps each tenancy's dates, deposit and certificates in one place, and lets you record the end date when the tenant leaves. It does not serve or check notices. Sign up free.
Related guides: deposit deductions and disputes, check-in inventories and the Renters' Rights Act in England.
If a tenant leaves goods behind, see what a landlord can do with belongings left behind.
Sources
- Protection from Eviction Act 1977, section 5, legislation.gov.uk
- Renters' Rights Act 2025, sections 20 and 21, legislation.gov.uk
- Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026, legislation.gov.uk
- Renters' Rights Act: overview for tenants, GOV.UK
- Guide to the Renters' Rights Act, GOV.UK
- Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, sections 48, 49 and 78, legislation.gov.uk
- Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, section 44, legislation.gov.uk
- Getting notice from a tenant, mygov.scot
- Ending a tenancy, Scottish Government
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, sections 52, 130, 168, 169 and 190, legislation.gov.uk
- Renting Homes (Supplementary Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2022, regulation 18, legislation.gov.uk
- Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, article 14A, legislation.gov.uk
- Private rent and tenancies, nidirect
Facts checked on 27 October 2026. For England this page relies on the 1 May 2026 commencement of sections 20 and 21 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 by SI 2026/421; for Scotland, on section 44 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, not in force until 1 April 2027; for Wales, on the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 in force since 1 December 2022. This page is general information, not legal advice.