Tenancies Explained: What Changed in 2026?

No.

Most tenancies are now periodic tenancies, which means they do not automatically end on a specific date. This is different from the traditional contracts many people are familiar with.

You may have originally signed a tenancy agreement that showed an anticipated end date. However, under the new tenancy rules, your tenancy will not automatically end on that date.

Your tenancy continues until:

• You serve notice and the tenancy ends, or

• The landlord ends the tenancy using the legal process available to them

Important: Your tenancy will not end automatically

Under the new tenancy rules, your tenancy will not automatically end at the end of the academic year or on the date shown in your tenancy agreement.

If you want to leave, you must serve notice.

If notice is not served, the tenancy will continue and rent will remain payable.

This is one of the biggest changes from traditional tenancies, where the tenancy often ended automatically on a fixed date.

No. Under the new tenancy rules, your tenancy does not automatically end at the end of the academic year.

If you want to leave, you must serve notice. If notice is not served, the tenancy continues and rent remains payable.

However, some student properties may be subject to a Ground 4A notice. A Ground 4A notice allows a landlord to seek possession of certain student properties between 1 June and 30 September to prepare for the next academic year's students.

Example

You move into a property in July 2026 and receive a Ground 4A notice stating that possession may be sought on 30 June 2027.

If you are happy to leave before that date, you can plan accordingly and serve notice if required.

If you think you may need the property beyond 30 June 2027, it is important to contact us as early as possible so we can discuss your plans and the options that may be available.

Key point

Receiving a Ground 4A notice does not mean you must move out immediately, but it does mean you should start thinking about your plans early and speak to us if you are unsure how it may affect you.

If you've received a Ground 4A notice and have questions about what it means for your tenancy, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Many students choose a leaving date that:

• Falls after their exams

• Gives them time to move their belongings home

• Fits in with their next accommodation arrangements

• Falls on a rent due date

You do not need to make a decision immediately, but leaving it until the last minute could limit your options.

Most tenants must give at least two months' notice. The tenancy end date must align with a rent due date.

Example 1

If your rent is due on the 23rd of each month and you want the tenancy to end on 23 June 2027, notice must be served by 22 April 2027.

Example 2

If your rent is due on the 1st of each month and you want the tenancy to end on 1st August 2027, notice must be served by 30th May 2027

Important

Notice cannot normally be backdated.

If you are planning to leave, it is important to think ahead and make sure notice is served in time.

Once notice has been served and relied upon, it cannot normally be withdrawn unless both you and the landlord agree.

If you're unsure when to serve notice, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

Notice must be given in writing.

This can usually be done by email or another written method accepted by your tenancy agreement.

Once we receive your notice, we'll confirm whether the proposed tenancy end date is valid and let you know if any further action is required.

If you're unsure about your tenancy end date before serving notice, please contact us first and we'll be happy to help.

You may find the following template helpful:

Your tenancy does not end automatically.

If notice is not served, the tenancy continues and rent remains payable until the tenancy is legally ended.

This applies even if:

• The academic year has finished

• You have moved your belongings out

• You have graduated

• You expected the tenancy to end on a particular date

If you're planning to leave, make sure you understand when notice needs to be served.

We can usually help arrange a voluntary payment plan around your Student Finance dates once the first month's rent and deposit have been paid.

However, this does not change the terms of your tenancy or your obligation to pay rent monthly. You may still receive rent reminders and any payment plan is simply a voluntary arrangement to help you manage those payments.

To create a payment plan, we'll usually need:

• Student Financae payment dates for all tenants

• An estimated leaving date. As tenancies now usually end on a rent due date, it is helpful if your estimated leaving date falls on a rent due date where possible.

Why are you asking when I expect to leave?

To calculate these payment plans, we ask for an estimated leaving date.

This helps us work out how much rent should be included in the payment plan.

The estimated leaving date:

• Is not notice

• Does not commit you to leaving on that date

• Can change if your plans change

We simply use it to calculate the payment plan.

What if I don't know when I'll leave?

That's completely fine.

Just give us your best estimate based on your current plans.

Many students do not know their exact plans a year in advance.

If your plans change later, we can review the payment plan and help explain what happens next.

You do not need to serve notice immediately.

However, you should start thinking about your plans well in advance.

Remember that your tenancy will not automatically end and notice must be served if you want to leave.

If you are planning to move out at the end of the academic year, we recommend contacting us several months beforehand so we can help you understand your options and the notice requirements that apply.