A notice to quit is a kind of eviction notice. Landlords can use it to end some tenancy or licence agreements.
Most private landlords have to use a section 21 or section 8 notice.
A private landlord can use a notice to quit if you:
But a council or housing association can use a notice to quit if you:
Use our notice checker to find out how much notice your landlord has to give you.
A notice to quit can only be used for a periodic or 'rolling' tenancy agreement.
If you have a fixed term agreement, check what it says about ending it early.
The landlord's notice to quit must be at least:
For example, if your tenancy started on the 11th day of a month, the notice must end on either 10th or 11th. Check your agreement if you cannot remember the start date.
Your landlord must ask the court for a possession order and a bailiffs warrant if you do not leave when the notice ends. This can take a few months.
It is an illegal eviction if your landlord or agent evicts you without the right notice and a court order. Only court bailiffs can carry out an eviction.
You have to pay rent until you leave.
Get legal advice as soon as you can.
An adviser could help you check if the notice is valid.
You can ask the council for help to find somewhere to live. You can do this even if you're being evicted by the council.
Last updated: 12 March 2024