Date Published 30 September 2026
Moving home should be exciting, but ending a tenancy can sometimes feel more complicated than finding the next property.
How much notice do you need to give? Can you send it by email? What happens if you leave before the notice expires? And does the end date written in an older tenancy agreement still apply?
The rules changed significantly on 1 May 2026, when most private tenancies in England became assured periodic tenancies.
Here is our straightforward guide for tenants in Upton, Poole and the surrounding area.
## Who does this guide apply to?
This guide is intended for most private tenants in England who now have an assured periodic tenancy.
Different rules may apply if you:
- Live with your landlord as a lodger.
- Rent from a council or housing association.
- Live in university-managed halls of residence.
- Have a licence rather than a tenancy.
- Occupy specialist or temporary accommodation.
If you are unsure what type of agreement you have, ask your landlord or letting agent before giving notice.
## What changed on 1 May 2026?
Most assured shorthold tenancies automatically became assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026.
A periodic tenancy continues on a rolling basis—normally monthly where the rent is paid monthly—until either the tenant ends it correctly or the landlord obtains possession using one of the legal grounds.
This means that an old fixed end date written in a tenancy agreement no longer automatically ends the tenancy.
For example, if an agreement originally said the tenancy would run until 30 November 2026, the tenancy will not necessarily end on that date simply because it appears in the old paperwork.
The tenant must normally give proper written notice, or the tenant and landlord must agree a different end date in writing.
## How much notice must a tenant give?
Most private tenants with an assured periodic tenancy must give at least two months' written notice.
The notice can be given at any point. Tenants no longer have to remain until the original fixed-term expiry date.
However, the proposed end date needs to fall on:
- The day the rent is due; or
- The day immediately before the rent is due.
You must continue paying the rent throughout the notice period.
The landlord and tenant can agree to a shorter notice period or an earlier surrender, but that agreement should always be recorded in writing.
## How do I choose the correct end date?
Start by checking the date on which your rent is due.
If your monthly rent is due on the first day of each month, the tenancy would normally end on either:
- The final day of a month; or
- The first day of a month.
If your rent is due on the 15th, the end date would normally be either:
- The 14th; or
- The 15th.
You must still ensure that the date provides the landlord with at least two months' notice.
If you are uncertain, ask the landlord or agent to confirm the earliest valid date before booking removals, signing another tenancy or arranging utility closures.
A mistake in the date could mean the tenancy—and your responsibility for the rent—continues longer than expected.
## What if I signed a fixed-term agreement before 1 May 2026?
The old fixed term will generally have become a periodic tenancy.
That means:
- The old end date no longer automatically ends the tenancy.
- You do not have to remain until the old end date.
- You can give two months' written notice at any time.
- The notice must end on the rent-due date or the day before it.
- You can leave sooner if the landlord agrees in writing.
Suppose your old agreement was due to end in four weeks, but you have not yet given notice.
If you want to leave on that original date, speak to the landlord or letting agent immediately. They may agree to accept the old date, but they are not automatically required to accept less than two months' notice.
Never assume that handing back the keys on the old fixed-term date ends your responsibility.
## How should notice be given?
The government guidance says notice must be in writing. It may be sent by letter, email or text.
Email is usually the clearest option because it provides a dated record of exactly what was sent.
Your notice should include:
- Your full name.
- The names of any other tenants giving notice.
- The full rental property address.
- A clear statement that you are ending the tenancy.
- The proposed tenancy end date.
- The date on which you sent the notice.
- A request for confirmation that it has been received.
- Your contact details.
Keep the sent email, letter, delivery receipt, screenshot or acknowledgement.
A telephone conversation saying that you are 'thinking about moving' is not formal notice.
## Example notice to end a tenancy
**Subject: Formal notice to end tenancy at [property address]**
Dear [landlord's or agent's name],
I am writing to give formal notice that I wish to end my assured periodic tenancy at:
[Full property address]
I am giving at least two months' notice, and my proposed tenancy end date is [date].
I will vacate the property and return all keys by that date.
Please confirm receipt of this notice and let me know the arrangements for the check-out inspection, final meter readings and return of the keys.
My forwarding address will be:
[Forwarding address, if known]
Kind regards,
[Name or names of tenants]
[Date]
If the tenancy is held jointly and everybody intends to leave, it is sensible for all the tenants to sign or be copied into the notice.
## Can notice be sent by text message?
Government guidance includes text messages as a possible form of written notice.
However, email or a formal letter is generally easier to retain and produce later if there is any disagreement about what was said or when it was received.
If you give notice by text, keep screenshots showing:
- The message.
- The recipient.
- The date and time.
- Any reply acknowledging receipt.
You could also follow it with an email containing the same information.
## What happens with joint tenants?
If two or more people signed one tenancy agreement, they will normally be joint tenants.
In a periodic joint tenancy, a valid notice from just one tenant can end the tenancy for everybody—even if the other tenants did not agree and want to remain in the property.
This is an important step and should not be taken without speaking to the other tenants first.
If one person wants to leave while the others wish to stay, contact the landlord or agent before serving notice.
Possible solutions may include:
- The landlord granting a new tenancy to the remaining tenants.
- A replacement tenant being referenced and added under a new agreement.
- All parties agreeing to a formal change.
- The existing tenancy ending and a completely new tenancy beginning.
The landlord, all relevant tenants and any replacement tenant will normally need to agree.
The landlord is not automatically required to grant a new tenancy to the remaining occupants.
## What happens to the deposit when one joint tenant leaves?
A deposit for a joint tenancy is normally treated as one deposit rather than several separate shares.
The landlord or agent cannot simply return one tenant's personal 'share' without considering what is happening to the tenancy as a whole.
If one tenant is being replaced, the parties need to agree clearly:
- Whether the original tenancy is ending.
- Whether a new tenancy is being created.
- How the outgoing tenant will receive their share.
- Whether the incoming tenant is paying an amount to the outgoing tenant.
- Whether the deposit protection record needs to be updated or replaced.
- Who may be responsible for damage that occurred before the change.
Do not rely on an informal agreement between housemates without telling the landlord or agent.
## Can I simply move out without giving notice?
Moving your belongings out does not necessarily end the tenancy.
If the tenancy has not been legally ended, you may remain responsible for:
- Rent.
- Council tax, depending on the circumstances.
- Utility charges.
- Damage or tenancy breaches.
- Other joint liabilities.
Returning the keys early does not automatically remove that responsibility.
If you have to leave urgently, speak to the landlord or agent. They may be willing to agree an earlier surrender, particularly if a replacement tenant can be found.
Make sure any agreement includes a clear tenancy end date and is confirmed in writing.
## Can I stop paying rent and use the deposit instead?
No—not unless the landlord has specifically agreed to this in writing.
The deposit is held against possible damage, cleaning, missing items, rent arrears and other permitted claims at the end of the tenancy.
It should not normally be treated as the final month's rent.
If you withhold the last rent payment, the landlord may claim the arrears from the deposit. If the deposit does not cover everything, you could remain liable for the balance.
## Your move-out checklist
Giving notice is only the beginning. A well-organised move-out can make the check-out and deposit process considerably easier.
### 1. Confirm the end date
Ask the landlord or agent to acknowledge your notice and confirm the agreed tenancy end date in writing.
### 2. Keep paying the rent
Pay the rent up to the date on which the tenancy legally ends, even if you physically move out sooner.
If an earlier end date is agreed, obtain written confirmation of the revised rent liability.
### 3. Read the original inventory
Review the check-in inventory and photographs before you begin cleaning.
This will remind you how the property was recorded at the start of the tenancy and highlight any missing items or changes that may need attention.
### 4. Clean the property properly
The property should be returned to the same general standard of cleanliness recorded at check-in, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Pay particular attention to:
- Ovens and hobs.
- Fridges and freezers.
- Bathrooms.
- Carpets and flooring.
- Cupboards and drawers.
- Skirting boards.
- Windows.
- Gardens, where the tenant is responsible.
- Rubbish and unwanted belongings.
You cannot normally be required to pay for professional cleaning simply because the agreement uses those words. The important question is whether the property has been returned to the appropriate standard.
### 5. Report damage honestly
Tell the landlord or agent about any damage or unresolved maintenance.
Trying to hide a problem rarely helps. It may prevent the landlord from arranging the correct contractor promptly and can make the eventual repair more expensive.
Remember that tenants are not responsible for reasonable fair wear and tear.
### 6. Take dated photographs and videos
On the final day, record:
- Every room.
- Floors, walls and ceilings.
- Inside cupboards.
- Appliances.
- Bathrooms.
- Windows.
- The garden.
- Any existing marks or defects.
- Meter readings.
- The keys being returned, where appropriate.
Keep these records until the deposit has been settled.
### 7. Give final meter readings
Take clear photographs of the electricity, gas and water meters.
Contact the relevant suppliers and provide:
- The final readings.
- The tenancy end date.
- Your forwarding address.
Do not assume the landlord or agent will close your personal utility accounts.
### 8. Notify the council
Tell the council when your tenancy ends and provide your new address for the final council-tax bill.
### 9. Redirect your post
Update your address with your bank, employer, DVLA, insurers, GP, delivery companies and other organisations.
A Royal Mail redirection can help catch anything you have forgotten.
### 10. Return every key
Return all keys, including:
- Front and rear doors.
- Window keys.
- Garage keys.
- Shed keys.
- Communal entrance fobs.
- Parking permits.
- Meter-box keys.
Ask for written confirmation of when and how they were returned.
If keys are missing, the landlord may seek the reasonable cost of replacements or necessary lock changes.
### 11. Provide a forwarding address
The landlord or agent will need a reliable email address, telephone number and forwarding address to discuss the deposit and any final accounts.
## When should the deposit be returned?
Once the landlord and tenant have agreed how much deposit should be returned, the agreed amount must normally be repaid within 10 days.
If there is a disagreement about deductions, the deposit remains protected while the dispute is resolved. Government-authorised deposit schemes provide a dispute-resolution service.
Evidence is important.
The landlord may rely upon:
- The check-in inventory.
- Check-out report.
- Dated photographs.
- Contractor invoices.
- Rent statements.
- Cleaning evidence.
- Correspondence.
The tenant can provide their own photographs, videos, receipts and messages.
The deposit scheme will consider the evidence from both sides.
## What is fair wear and tear?
Fair wear and tear is the reasonable deterioration that happens through normal everyday use.
Examples might include:
- Light carpet wear in a frequently used walkway.
- Minor marks caused by normal occupation.
- Faded decoration.
- An appliance reaching the end of its expected life.
It is different from damage such as:
- Large stains.
- Broken doors.
- Burns.
- Unauthorised alterations.
- Missing items.
- Neglected garden damage.
- Damage caused by pets.
The landlord cannot normally charge a tenant the full cost of replacing an old item with a brand-new one if the original was already partly worn.
The item's age, condition at check-in, likely lifespan and length of tenancy should all be considered.
## What if I change my mind after giving notice?
Do not assume you can simply withdraw a valid notice.
Once the notice has created a definite tenancy end date, the landlord may already have advertised the property or agreed a new tenancy with somebody else.
Contact the landlord or agent immediately.
You may be allowed to remain, but this will require agreement. Depending on the circumstances, a new tenancy arrangement may be necessary.
Only give formal notice when you are reasonably certain you will be able to move by the end date.
## What if the landlord has asked me to leave?
A landlord asking a tenant to leave is entirely different from a tenant choosing to end the tenancy.
Since 1 May 2026, Section 21 can no longer normally be used to begin a new no-fault eviction.
A landlord must use an appropriate possession ground, serve the correct notice and, if the tenant does not leave, obtain a court order.
A landlord cannot simply tell a tenant that the tenancy has ended, change the locks or remove their belongings.
If you receive a possession notice, take advice on that particular notice rather than relying on general information about a tenant giving notice.
## Good communication makes moving easier
Most tenancy endings are perfectly straightforward when everybody knows what is happening.
Tell your landlord or agent as early as you reasonably can, use the correct date, keep everything in writing and ask if you are unsure about any part of the process.
If Lewis Dean Letting manages your Upton or Poole rental property, please contact us before finalising your moving date.
We can check the notice date, acknowledge it in writing, explain the check-out arrangements and help make the move as smooth as possible for everybody.
Nobody wants the final weeks of a good tenancy to end in confusion over one date, one missing key or one unread email.
A clear notice and a little organisation can prevent most of those problems.
This general guide applies to most private assured periodic tenancies in England and is not a substitute for legal advice about an unusual or disputed tenancy. The rules were checked on 30 September 2026 against the current [GOV.UK Renters' Rights Act guidance for tenants](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renters-rights-act-overview-for-tenants), [GOV.UK tenancy deposit guidance](https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection) and [Shelter's guidance about ending joint tenancies](https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/ending_a_periodic_tenancy/joint_tenants).
