The length of notice that a tenant currently has to provide is set by common law rules or in the tenancy agreement subject to a minimum notice period of four weeks for most tenancies and licences by virtue of section 5 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. This section amends the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 to specify the length of notice that a tenant in future will need to give when ending an assured tenancy. The default period of notice required is not less than two months before the end of a period of the tenancy. This should provide sufficient notice to the landlord to relet the property as required. A shorter notice period is allowed, if all parties agree in writing – that agreement may be set out in the tenancy agreement or in a separate document.
	A landlord under an assured tenancy who wishes to obtain possession must give notice in accordance with the requirements of the Housing Act 1988.
Part 1: Tenancy reform Chapter 1: Assured Tenancies Section 20: Notices to quit by tenants under assured tenancies: timing Background