What is an assured periodic tenancy?

An assured periodic tenancy is a rolling tenancy with no fixed end date — it just keeps going month to month (or week to week) until you or your landlord ends it through the proper legal process.

Since 1 May 2026, all private tenancies in England have become assured periodic tenancies. Whether you had a 6-month, 12-month or 2-year fixed-term contract — it is now a rolling periodic tenancy. You didn't need to sign anything new for this to happen.

This is actually good for most tenants. It means you can't be forced out just because a fixed term has ended. Previously, landlords would serve a Section 21 notice at the end of a fixed term with no reason. That's no longer possible.

To end an assured periodic tenancy, you give your landlord two months' written notice. Your landlord can only end it by using one of the legal grounds under Section 8 — with the required notice period, usually four months.

You don't need to sign a new tenancy agreement. If your landlord asks you to, you're not legally obliged to — your existing arrangement has already converted automatically. Be cautious about signing anything that tries to create new fixed-term obligations.