If your home is unsuitable, your circumstances have changed, or you just want a change of scene, you can give two months’ notice to move out of a private rented home, unless your landlord agrees to a shorter notice period.
The end of the tenancy needs to fall on either the day of the month you pay rent, or the day before.
Give your landlord the required notice in writing, keep copies of all communication and make sure your landlord confirms receipt of your notice, which may be helpful when seeking the return of your deposit.
If you are living with other people, you are on a joint tenancy, and they are staying in the property, they may become liable for the rent you had been paying so consider helping them find a replacement to move in as soon after you leave as possible.
The landlord or letting agent may charge a fee to change the name on the tenancy agreement, but it may be possible to negotiate this, as the alternative would be for all tenants to move out, leaving the cost of finding a new tenant to the landlord/letting agent.
Before you move out, there are several things you can do to avoid disputes over your deposit:
- clean the property to the same condition you found it in
- make good any damage or inform your landlord of this
- return all items to their original position
- ensure that any garden is left in the same condition as at the start of the tenancy
- return all keys
Read the full government guidance for tenants on this here.
