These types of tenancies can be for a fixed period, often for six months or a year. Sometimes these will automatically be renewed at the end of the fixed period if neither the landlord nor tenant takes steps to end the tenancy. Once the fixed period ends, it will start again and last for the same period even though a new tenancy agreement has not been signed. This process is called 'tacit relocation'.
If the tenancy is coming to an end and the tenant wants to leave, they must let the landlord know. The amount of notice will usually be written into the tenancy agreement. Where this is not the case, the minimum amount of notice is 28 days when the initial tenancy is for less than four months and 40 days for longer tenancies.
Can a tenant end the tenancy before the fixed period is up?
Usually, this will depend on what the tenancy agreement says about ending the tenancy. If the tenancy agreement allows for this it should detail how much notice the tenant must provide before they can end their tenancy early.
If the tenancy agreement doesn’t allow for the tenant to terminate early, it is up to the landlord to decide whether they can do so. If the landlord doesn’t want to bring the tenancy to an end but the tenant insists on leaving, the landlord can continue to charge them rent until the end of the fixed term.
Permission
If the tenant is married or in a civil partnership, the landlord should get consent from the spouse or civil partner before ending the tenancy.