Ending a tenancy affects the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants depending on the type of tenancy agreement when it began.
Most tenancies are assured shorthold tenancies, which can be for a fixed term or open-ended. The first stage of ending a tenancy is for either the tenant or the landlord to give notice. The notice period should appear in a tenancy agreement and is also defined in law. The content of the notice given by landlords is also prescribed by law.
If a tenant gives notice during a fixed period they may find themselves liable for paying rent for the outstanding period. A landlord can oly serve notice during a fixed term if there are appropriate grounds to end the tenancy. These include: rent arrears; regularly late rent; damage to the property and its contents; nuisance or annoyance. In a periodic tenancy the landlord can give two months notice at any time without having to specify any grounds. Shorter notice may be given for certain legal grounds.
A tenant under notice for their landlord is not required to leave their home at the end of the notice period. But, failure to do so may incur legal costs if the landlord has to obtain a possession order from the courts.
It is illegal to force someone to leave their rented home, without following the correct legal procedures
Where can I get advice about ending a tenancy?
Shelter : advice on ending tenancies from the national housing charity
Courts Service : advice about housing proceedings in court
Landlords business associations
Government booklet on ending tenancies
Government booklet on illegal eviction
Link to Richmondshire District Council's Homelessness page
Link to Richmondshire District Council's Finding somewhere to live page
This page will be developed to provide private sector landlords and tenants in Richmondshire with useful information. If you have any suggestions for content please contact us at landlords@richmondshire.gov.uk.
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Last updated:
25 June 2008
