A tenant who needs to move sooner than their notice would allow can ask the landlord to agree an earlier end date. Government guidance for assured periodic tenancies in England says both sides can agree to end the tenancy early or use a shorter notice period. Put the agreement in writing so both sides can see the same terms before either commits to a move or a new letting.
Agree the date and the rent together
Start with the date the tenant would like the tenancy to end and the date they expect to hand back the keys. Ask whether the landlord agrees to both. If the tenant intends to move out before the tenancy ends, confirm what rent will still be due. The government’s landlord guidance says the tenant can move out early without paying rent for the remainder if the landlord agrees. A written record is especially helpful when the move and the rent payment fall in different weeks.
The normal notice process still matters while the request is being discussed. The official guidance describes how to give notice and how the date relates to the day rent is due. For a tenancy that started before 1 May 2026, consult the government’s separate guidance on older agreements before deciding what notice period applies.
Check who needs to agree
If the tenancy is joint and one tenant asks to use a shorter notice period, GOV.UK says the landlord and all the joint tenants need to agree. Ask each person to confirm what they intend to do, especially if some want to stay. The landlord guidance explains that a new tenancy may be agreed with tenants who remain. Get advice if the parties disagree about who will leave or when the tenancy will end.
Once the terms are settled, make a handover plan. Record who will return the keys, when the condition of the property will be checked and where deposit correspondence should go. Keep that plan with the written agreement. This gives everyone one place to check the dates and the amounts they agreed.
Sources
- [GOV.UK guidance when a tenant wants to leave](https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/if-your-tenant-wants-to-leave)
- [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)