Moving out: notice and your deposit

Giving notice

• Give notice in writing – a letter, email or text is fine.
• Give at least two months' notice, on the day your rent is due or the day before.
• Carry on paying rent until the notice period ends.
• If you leave without giving the correct notice, you can be asked to pay up to the rent that would have been due for the notice period.

Before you leave

To help the end of your tenancy go smoothly:

• clean the home and remove all your belongings and rubbish
• report any damage or repairs before you go, rather than leaving them to be found
• return every set of keys and any fobs or remotes
• take meter readings and tell the utility companies and the council when you are moving
• give us a forwarding address

Getting your deposit back

Your deposit is protected in a government-approved scheme. Once you and your landlord agree how much you will get back, it must be returned within 10 days. If you disagree about deductions, the deposit stays protected in the scheme until the dispute is sorted out.

If your landlord wants the home back

Since 1 May 2026, section 21 "no fault" evictions have ended. A landlord must give a legal reason, called a ground for possession, use the correct forms and give the right notice – usually four months, though it can be shorter for some grounds. A landlord cannot use the grounds to sell or move in during the first 12 months of a tenancy.

If you receive a notice and are worried, get free advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice.