Can tenants in England still give one month’s notice under an older agreement?

Landlords · Originally published 13/07/2026 · Updated 09/11/2026 · 2 min read

Some shorter notice clauses survived the May 2026 renting changes. The answer depends on how the tenancy worked before the new rules began.

If your tenancy in England started before 1 May 2026, check the original agreement before you set a moving date. The usual notice period for ending an assured periodic tenancy under the new rules is two months. Government guidance explains when a shorter period already agreed with your landlord can still apply.

Check how the tenancy started

If your tenancy was rolling from the outset, the notice clause in the agreement still applies, subject to the two-month maximum a landlord can require. The government gives the example of an agreement that allows a tenant to give one month’s notice. It also says a shorter clause can still apply where a fixed term was due to end on or after 1 May 2026.

If the fixed term ended before 1 May, read the part of the agreement about what happened next. A clause that provided for the tenancy to roll on can mean the original notice period still applies. If the agreement said nothing about what would happen after the fixed term, the government’s guidance directs tenants to the assured periodic tenancy notice process. A separate written agreement with the landlord may also matter.

Agree your dates before booking the move

Find the signed agreement and any later emails or messages about notice. Write down when the fixed term ended, when rent falls due and the date you would like to leave. Under the standard process, notice is given in writing and is timed to end on the rent due date or the day before. The landlord and tenant can agree in writing to a shorter notice period.

Ask the landlord or agent to confirm the end date and any rent due in writing. Keep a copy of your notice and proof that you sent it. If only one person in a joint tenancy wants to move, get advice before serving notice, since the decision can affect the others. A dispute about the end date is worth resolving before you commit to paying rent on another home.

Sources

[GOV.UK guidance on tenancies that started before 1 May 2026](https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/if-the-tenancy-started-before-1-may-2026)
[GOV.UK Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renters-rights-act-overview-for-tenants)
[Renters’ Rights Act 2025, section 20](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/26/section/20)

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