Home / Glossary / Fixed-term tenancy
What is Fixed-term tenancy?
Last verified 31 October 2026
A fixed-term tenancy is a tenancy agreed for a set period with an end date, such as 6 or 12 months. In England, assured periodic tenancies cannot have an end date, which in practice ended fixed terms for private lettings from 1 May 2026.
Why it matters to landlords
GOV.UK says assured or assured shorthold tenancies that began before 1 May 2026 became assured periodic tenancies on that date, and that assured periodic tenancies cannot have an end date, including for student lets. They roll on, such as monthly, and existing written agreements do not need replacing.
The tenant can end a tenancy with 2 months' notice, ending on a rent due day or the day before, and you cannot ask for more than 2 months. You can only end it by a possession ground with a section 8 notice, and from 1 May 2026 no section 21 notice can be served on any tenancy. Do not write an end date or a minimum term into new England agreements without checking current guidance. In Wales and Scotland, different rules apply.
Example
Sean's tenant in Reading signed a 12 month agreement on 1 September 2025. It was due to end on 31 August 2026, but on 1 May 2026 it became an assured periodic tenancy. In July 2026 the tenant gives two months' notice to end it on a rent due day, and Sean confirms the date in writing.
Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026 (UK) →