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Original poster

When can I leave a rental contract started in January?

12 replies

WhatAmIsupposeToDoNow · 03/05/2026 19:20

I started my contract mid Jan. It has 6 months clause. If I was to used my 6 months clause I could get out mid July. However, with new legislation in place, I am not sure when realistically can get out of contract. My thinking is that 2 months from 1st of May, spend of June. Is my understanding correct or not?

It would be great if someone more experienced in the field could advise.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatAmIsupposeToDoNow · 03/05/2026 20:11

Anyone?

OP posts:
Tryinghardertoo · 03/05/2026 20:16

Well with it being a new law, nobody has the experience yet, but I tbink you are correct.

ParadiseIsNoBunker · 03/05/2026 20:19

New legislation means you give 2 months notice on or after the date the rent is due.

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BlakeCarrington · 03/05/2026 20:23

I’m not sure as legislation is new, but I thought tenants could give 2 months notice anytime. So if you decided on 1st Feb to move you’d only have to give 2 months notice and could go 1st April. Or is that a load of crap? (Possibly!)

Mintearo7 · 03/05/2026 20:32

Yes end of June theoretically, but it will be maximum of 2 months notice. So you would have to have given notice on 1st of May to get out by that time. What I’m not completely sure of is whether the notice period is less in your current contract (e.g. one month) and if that still stands.

BlakeCarrington · 03/05/2026 20:37

So can the tenant still be held to a 6 month fixed term then! I’m not sure of the changes made in this respect.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 03/05/2026 20:37

We used to rent and our contracts always said 3 months notice from the landlord and we had to give 1months notice - these were a rolling contract.

id seen houses on a 1 year contract and you were then committed to the whole year of payment and if you didn’t want to renew you have to tell them at 9 months giving them the last 3 months as notice. We never did that as circumstances can change and I never wanted to rope myself in for a whole year.

We haven’t rented for a while as we were able to buy but from what I’ve seen things are more favourable for tenants now and I think you’re right - hopefully this is the case for you.

NoWordForFluffy · 03/05/2026 20:38

You have to give your notice to coincide with your rent payment date (or the day before). So your leaving date is mid-July, as it would have been with the old contract.

PrincessofWells · 03/05/2026 20:40

Mintearo7 · 03/05/2026 20:32

Yes end of June theoretically, but it will be maximum of 2 months notice. So you would have to have given notice on 1st of May to get out by that time. What I’m not completely sure of is whether the notice period is less in your current contract (e.g. one month) and if that still stands.

No.

PrincessofWells · 03/05/2026 20:42

BlakeCarrington · 03/05/2026 20:37

So can the tenant still be held to a 6 month fixed term then! I’m not sure of the changes made in this respect.

No, all tenancies are now periodic, no fixed term. So anyone who signed up to a fixed term, that is now void.

BlakeCarrington · 03/05/2026 20:53

That’s what I thought @PrincessofWells, but am often wrong! So in this case the OP could give 2 months notice one month after moving in if she fancies?

PrincessofWells · 03/05/2026 21:00

BlakeCarrington · 03/05/2026 20:53

That’s what I thought @PrincessofWells, but am often wrong! So in this case the OP could give 2 months notice one month after moving in if she fancies?

Yes. Assured Periodic Tenancies have no fixed term.

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