Rolling Tenancies
From 1 May 2026, most private student rentals in England moved away from fixed-term contracts and into something called a rolling tenancy (also known as a periodic tenancy).
This is a major change to how renting works, so it’s important to understand what it means for you as a student tenant.
What is a rolling tenancy?
A rolling tenancy is a rental agreement that doesn’t have a fixed end date.
Instead of signing a contract for 9 or 12 months (for example, September–June), your tenancy continues on a month-to-month basis until you or your landlord ends it correctly.
You still have a legal tenancy agreement, it just doesn’t automatically stop at the end of an academic year.
What changed from 1 May 2026?
If you are renting privately (not university halls), most agreements became rolling tenancies. This means:
- Your fixed end date no longer automatically applies
- You stay in the property until notice is properly given
- You or your landlord must follow legal notice rules to end the tenancy
- You can’t be evicted without a valid legal reason and a court order
A key change is that Section 21 “no fault” evictions are removed, meaning landlords must use specific legal grounds if they want possession of the property.
How do you end a rolling tenancy?
In most cases, you can end a rolling tenancy by giving:
- At least 2 months’ written notice
- Ending on the correct rent day (as stated in your contract)
Your tenancy will then end after that notice period.
If you are in a joint tenancy, things are slightly different:
- One tenant giving valid notice can end the tenancy for everyone
- This can affect your housemates, so it’s important to communicate with each other before giving notice
Can a landlord end a rolling tenancy?
Yes, but only in specific situations.
A landlord must:
- Use a legal reason (known as a “ground for possession”)
- Give the correct notice period (usually at least 4 months, depending on the reason)
- Apply to court if you do not leave voluntarily
Examples of valid reasons include:
- Serious rent arrears
- Anti-social behaviour
- Selling the property (after minimum time conditions are met)
- Landlord or family moving in
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Need help?If you are unsure about a property, contract or housing issue, do not sign until you have asked for advice. |
