Students giving notice across summer 2026

Under the new Renters’ Rights Act from 1 May 2026, fixed‑term tenancies will no longer end automatically. Most student tenancies will change into rolling contracts, which means you must give at least 2 months’ notice to leave. 
Example: If your current fixed contract for this academic year was due to end on 30 June 2026, your tenancy will not automatically end on that date unless your landlord serves you with a S21 notice before 1st May 2026.  If you’ve received this notice, you do not need to act as this will maintain the previous end date on any contract due to end before 1 August 2026.  However, if you do not receive a S21 notice, your current tenancy agreement (likely an Assured Shorthold Tenancy) will convert into a new type of tenancy agreement called an Assured Periodic Tenancy.   
 
This means you now need to formally give your landlord notice (at least 2 months) if you want to move out around the end of June.  
If you do not give notice correctly, your landlord may ask you to keep paying rent beyond your planned move‑out date, even if you have already left. 
What you need to do: 
  1. Speak to your landlord to see if they are planning to serve you with a Section 21 notice. 
  2. If they are not going to do this, or you have not received one by 30th April 2026, make sure you send an email to your landlord stating you are giving notice and will be leaving your property on 30th June 2026. 
  3. If you are in a joint contract, then only one of you needs to do this but state in the notice that you have spoken to your housemates and you are acting for the full group. 
  4. If you are all on individual contracts, then you will all need to send separate notices to quit the property. 
For more information on giving notice and how the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will affect you please read our students’ guide to the Renters’ Rights Act here: Renters' Rights Act 2025 - Guide For Students 
If you are unsure what this means for your own contract, or when you should give notice, contact Unipol for more information at info@unipol.org.uk, or call us on 0113 243 0169.