Since May 1st, 2026, every private tenancy in England is a periodic tenancy. There are no more fixed terms; your tenancy rolls from one rent period to the next with no end date, and it continues indefinitely unless you choose to end it or your landlord successfully obtains a possession order through the courts.
This is a significant shift from how renting used to work. Under the old assured shorthold tenancy regime, most tenancies had an initial fixed term of six or twelve months. When that fixed term ended, the tenancy would either be renewed for another fixed term or roll into a periodic tenancy. Landlords often used the end of a fixed term as an opportunity to serve Section 21 notices, but that's no longer possible.
As a periodic tenant, you can end your tenancy at any time by giving two months' written notice. You're not locked into any minimum period, and you don't need to give a reason. Your landlord, however, cannot end the tenancy by simply giving you notice; they must prove a valid ground for possession under Section 8 of the Housing Act and obtain a court order.
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