A periodic tenancy has no fixed end date. It rolls over automatically from one period to the next (usually month to month) until the landlord or tenant gives
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A periodic tenancy has no fixed end date. It rolls over automatically from one period to the next (usually month to month) until the landlord or tenant gives valid notice to end it. This guide explains what a periodic tenancy is, how it starts, what rights you have, and what has changed under the Renters' Rights Act.
How a periodic tenancy starts
A periodic tenancy usually starts in one of two ways.
After a fixed term ends. Most private tenancies begin as assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) with a fixed term, usually six or twelve months. If that term ends and neither side ends the tenancy, it becomes a periodic tenancy automatically. The period matches your rent. So if you pay monthly, it rolls over month by month.
From the start. Some tenancies are periodic from day one. This is more common with older tenancies, council tenancies (most secure tenancies are periodic from the start), and some housing association tenancies.
What a periodic tenancy means for you
Security. You cannot be evicted just because the fixed term has ended. Your landlord must serve a valid notice and, in most cases, get a court order before you have to leave.
Notice to leave. To end a periodic tenancy yourself, you usually give at least one full rental period's notice, in writing. If you pay monthly and rent is due on the 1st, give notice by the 1st to leave at the end of that month. Check your agreement, as some ask for longer.
Rent increases. During a periodic tenancy, your landlord can put the rent up, but must use the correct process. Usually that means a Section 13 notice giving at least one rental period's notice, or you both agree. Your landlord cannot just announce a rise mid-period.
Repairs and rights. All the same legal duties apply as during a fixed term. Your landlord must still keep the home in repair, deal with repairs, and follow housing law.
What can end a periodic tenancy?
You. You can end it by giving proper notice in writing. The notice is usually one rental period (one month for monthly tenancies), though some agreements ask for two.
Landlord, Section 8. A landlord can serve a Section 8 notice if they have a legal ground for possession, most often rent arrears. The notice period depends on the ground.
Section 21 (now abolished). Before 1 May 2026, a private landlord could serve a Section 21 "no-fault" notice to end a periodic AST without giving a reason. From 1 May 2026 the Renters' Rights Act abolished Section 21, so a landlord can no longer do this.
Renters' Rights Act. The Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026. It ended Section 21 no-fault eviction and is moving assured shorthold tenancies onto a periodic footing. Landlords can now end a tenancy only by using a Section 8 ground. This is a big change for private tenants.
Periodic tenancy versus fixed term: the practical differences
| Fixed term | Periodic tenancy | |
|---|---|---|
| End date | Set in the agreement | No fixed end date |
| Leaving early | Usually needs the landlord's agreement or a break clause | Give proper notice |
| Rent increase | Landlord generally cannot raise it during the term | Landlord can raise it with proper notice |
| No-fault (Section 21) | Abolished from 1 May 2026 | Abolished from 1 May 2026 |
| Security | High during the fixed term | Ongoing, but no fixed commitment |
If you are not sure what type of tenancy you have
Check your tenancy agreement. If it has a start and end date and you are past the end date, you are likely on a periodic tenancy. If you never had a written agreement, you may be periodic from the start, most likely monthly if you pay rent monthly.
Council tenants hold secure tenancies. These are a different legal category, generally more secure than assured shorthold tenancies.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
If your home has disrepair (damp, mould, broken heating, or other serious faults) and your landlord is ignoring repairs, call us on 0800 030 4669. The type of tenancy you hold (fixed term or periodic) does not affect your right to make a disrepair claim.
No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
- Housing Act 1988 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Renters' Rights Act 2025 (legislation.gov.uk)
Related articles
- Assured tenancy vs assured shorthold tenancy
- What is a Section 21 notice, is it still legal?
- Renters' Rights Act 2025, what changes?
- How to read your tenancy agreement
- How do I end my tenancy?
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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