Can someone please explain how our notice period will work?

[fairlyliquid]

We rented our house nearly 3 years ago - at the end of the first year the landlord just said we were fine to stay on but no new contract signed. Same at the end of the second year. Now they are selling and want us to move out but have not yet given us notice. The first contract started on the 24th, so as I understand they will need to give us 2 months notice from the 24 (and if they give notice on the 25th, it will not start to run till the following 24th.

But, DH pays our rent at the end of the month. I imagine at some point he forgot the actual date and just thought that's what it was. They have never mentioned this.

Will this affect our notice? If they give us notice at the end of the month (as I suspect they might) am I within my rights to say they can't until the following 24th, even though we have always paid on the last day of the month?

interesting one - normally date of tenancy start and date of rental payment are the same. This came up recently. According to Shelter the critical date is the period of the tenancy, in your case the 24th.

They can give notice when they like, but your two months 'countdown' doesn't start until the next 24th. You'll need to sort out the payment to make sure you pay the right amount.

usual checks; make sure you know where your deposit is, take your own photos on departure and leave it as you found it less wear and tear.

as an aside, if you want to stay it is worth mentioning in case they are planning to sell to another landlord.

Thanks Special. I know the person the ll is selling to and they have said they may rent on a rolling basis to us before they move in, which would be great. We're buying and selling too, so more time would be great.

aha - get talking, this could be a result all round!