All Tenancies Become Periodic from 2026
Fixed terms are ending. What periodic tenancies mean for you and how notice periods work.
From May 2026, all tenancies will become periodic (rolling) tenancies. Fixed-term tenancies will no longer be possible for private rentals.
What This Means
- No more being locked into a 6 or 12 month fixed term
- Your tenancy continues month-to-month
- You can give 2 months' notice to leave at any time
- Your landlord needs a valid ground to end the tenancy
Benefits for Tenants
- More flexibility to move when your circumstances change
- No penalties for leaving (currently you may owe rent if you break a fixed term)
- Greater security - can't be evicted just because a fixed term ended
What About Existing Tenancies?
If you have a fixed-term tenancy that's still running on 1 May 2026, it will automatically convert to a periodic tenancy. You'll have 2 months' notice from that date if you want to leave.
This doesn't mean rents become unstable. Landlords can still only increase rent once per year using Section 13.
Official Sources
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