How to end your tenancy
To end your tenancy, you must give your landlord enough notice in writing. It's important to end your tenancy correctly so that your landlord cannot keep charging you rent and you can get your deposit back.
If you’re in a joint tenancy, you may need the other tenants to agree to end your tenancy.
Step 1: check your notice period
You must give your landlord a specific amount of warning that you're moving out. This is called a notice period.
Your notice period depends on what type of tenancy you have. Either:
check your tenancy agreement
Choose your tenancy type to check your notice period.
Private residential tenancy
Your notice period is 28 days (4 weeks).
You can give notice at any time.
If your landlord says you have a longer notice period
This is only valid if you agreed to it in writing after you started living in the property.
Your landlord cannot write a longer notice period in your tenancy agreement.
Ask your landlord for proof that you agreed to it. If they do not have proof of this, you only have to give 28 days' notice.
When to send your notice
Add 2 days to your notice period to give your landlord time to receive your email or letter.
For example, if you want your tenancy to end on 31 October, your notice period starts on 3 October. Send your notice no later than 1 October.
Scottish secure tenancy
Your notice period is 28 days (4 weeks).
You can give notice at any time.
When to send your notice
Add 2 days to your notice period to give your landlord time to receive your email or letter.
For example, if you want your tenancy to end on 31 October, your notice period starts on 3 October. Send your notice no later than 1 October.
Assured or short assured tenancy
Your tenancy agreement should say your notice period.
If it does not say, usually your notice period is:
28 days if your fixed term was less than 4 months
40 days if your fixed term was more than 4 months
Check your fixed term
This is the initial period of time you rented your home for. After your fixed term ends, your tenancy automatically renews unless you or your landlord gives notice to end it.
Your tenancy agreement should say:
the fixed term – for example, 6 months
how often your tenancy renews – for example, it could renew on a monthly basis
If your tenancy agreement does not say how often it renews, it will be for the same amount of time as the initial fixed term. For example, if your fixed term was 6 months, your tenancy renews every 6 months.
When you give notice, make sure the last day of your notice period matches the last day of your fixed term.
If you want to end your tenancy early
Your tenancy agreement will say if you can end your tenancy during your fixed term. This is sometimes called a break clause.
If it does not say, ask your landlord if you can move out early. Get any agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
When to send your notice
Add 2 days to your notice period to give your landlord time to receive your email or letter.
For example, if you have a 28-day notice period and your fixed term ends on 31 October, your notice period starts on 3 October. Send your notice no later than 1 October.
It's important to send your notice in time to stop your tenancy from automatically renewing.
Short Scottish secure tenancy
Your notice period is 28 days.
Your tenancy will have a fixed term of at least 6 months. Your tenancy agreement should say when your fixed term ends.
The last day of your notice period usually must be the same as the last day of your fixed term.
Ask your landlord if you want to end your tenancy before the fixed term ends. Get any agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
When to send your notice
Add 2 days to your notice period to give your landlord time to receive your email or letter.
For example, if your fixed term ends on 31 October, your notice period starts on 3 October. Send your notice no later than 1 October.
It's important to send your notice in time to stop your tenancy from automatically renewing.
Common law tenancy
You'll have a common law tenancy if you live with your landlord or in student accommodation.
Your tenancy agreement should say your notice period.
If it does not say, usually your notice period is:
28 days’ notice if your fixed term was less than 1 year
40 days’ notice if your fixed term was 1 year or more
Check your fixed term
This is the initial period of time you rented your home for. After your fixed term ends, your tenancy automatically renews unless you or your landlord gives notice to end it.
Your tenancy agreement should say:
the fixed term – for example, 6 months
how often your tenancy renews – for example, it could renew on a monthly basis
If your tenancy agreement does not say how often it renews, it will be for the same amount of time as the initial fixed term. For example, if your fixed term was 6 months, your tenancy renews every 6 months.
When you give notice, make sure the last day of your notice period matches the last day of your fixed term.
If you want to end your tenancy early
Your tenancy agreement will say if you can end your tenancy during your fixed term. This is sometimes called a break clause.
If it does not say, ask your landlord if you can move out early. Get any agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
When to send your notice
Add 2 days to your notice period to give your landlord time to receive your email or letter.
For example, if you have a 28-day notice period and your fixed term ends on 31 October, your notice period starts on 3 October. Send your notice no later than 1 October.
It's important to send your notice in time to stop your tenancy from automatically renewing.
If you want to move out sooner
Ask your landlord to agree to a shorter notice period. Explain your circumstances and tell them when you need to move.
Get any agreements in writing so there are no misunderstandings.
If your landlord does not agree, you'll have to pay rent until the end of your notice period, even if you move out earlier. If you do not pay, your landlord can deduct the unpaid rent from your deposit or take legal action to claim it from you.
Step 2: write to your landlord
You can send an email or a letter. Tell them:
your name and address
how long your notice period is
what day you will move out by
Use our letter template to end your tenancy
Send letters by recorded delivery and keep copies of any emails.
Step 3: get ready to move out
Once you've sent your notice, you can move out at any time. You must pay rent until the end of your notice period.
Before you move out:
tell your utility providers and the council tax department that you're moving out, and get final bills from them
make sure the property is clean and tidy
check your inventory to make sure all the items your landlord gave you are present and in good condition
check how and when you can give the keys back
If your landlord wants to arrange viewings
Your landlord needs your permission to hold viewings while you still live there. You can refuse if it's at an unsuitable time.
You should get at least 24 hours' warning before they come round. If you have a private residential tenancy, you should get 48 hours.
Ending a joint tenancy
A joint tenancy is when you sign the same tenancy agreement with one or more other people.
Scottish secure tenancy
If all joint tenants want to leave, you must all give notice.
If only one person wants to leave, they can give their own notice. Any remaining tenants will continue the tenancy.
The same rules apply if you have a short Scottish secure tenancy.
Private residential tenancy
If all joint tenants want to leave, you must all give notice. This can be done by:
signing the same written notice and posting it to your landlord
signing the same written notice and emailing a photo or scanned copy to your landlord
each tenant sending their own notice by email, making sure the notice expires on the same day
If you're the only person who wants to leave, you cannot give your own notice. You can ask your landlord's permission to sign your part of the tenancy over to the remaining tenants or a new tenant.
Get any agreement in writing, so that there are no misunderstandings.
If you're having problems getting out of a joint tenancy, get advice from a Shelter Scotland adviser.
Assured or short assured tenancy
If one person gives the landlord notice, this ends the contract for everyone.
This does not mean the other tenants have to leave. They still have a right to live in the property. They'll have to start paying your part of the rent, or come to an agreement with the landlord about getting a new tenant.
If you're the only person who wants to leave, talk to the other tenants before sending your notice.
Last updated: 26 October 2023
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.