A tenant leaving: notice, move-out and the deposit

A tenant ends a periodic tenancy by giving notice in writing. This guide follows the tenancy from that notice to the deposit being returned.

Who this is for: letting agencies, landlords and tenants.

The tenant's notice, the move-out list and the deposit settlement.

What you are deciding

For the tenant: the end date. For the landlord side: what, if anything, comes out of the deposit.

Your options

• At least two months' notice. The tenancy ends on the date given, which should be a rent day or the day before one, at least two months away.
• Shorter notice. Only if the landlord agrees in writing. On a joint tenancy every named tenant must be party to that agreement as well.
• One joint tenant gives notice. It ends the tenancy for every tenant and occupier, not just the one who gave it.

The journey at a glance

When	Step	Who	The law
Notice given	Notice in writing, in the portal or on paper	Tenant	Protection from Eviction Act 1977 s.5
Straight away	Acknowledgement with the end date, sent to every tenant and the landlord	Landlord side	—
Before the end date	Move-out checklist; forwarding addresses; check-out booked	Both sides	—
The end date	Check-out against the inventory	Landlord side	—
After check-out	Deductions proposed with evidence; each tenant agrees or disputes each one	Landlord side; tenants answer	Deposit scheme rules
Within 10 days of agreement	Deposit released through the scheme	Landlord side	Deposit scheme rules
If disputed	Referred to the scheme's free dispute service	Either side	Housing Act 2004

What each party does

Tenant

1. Give notice in your portal under Leaving, choosing an end date Abide.Rent accepts.
2. Agree the move-out checklist and give a forwarding address.
3. Answer each proposed deduction: agree, or dispute with your reason.

Letting agency or landlord

1. Check the notice and its end date. Record a notice received on paper or by email with a copy of it.
2. If the landlord agrees a shorter date, record the written agreement; on a joint tenancy confirm every named tenant is party to it.
3. Do the check-out, propose deductions with evidence, and release the deposit through the scheme within 10 days of agreement.

When Abide.Rent reminds whom

• The landlord side, and the tenants for information: 30, 14, 7 and 1 days before, on the day, then 1, 7 and 14 days late the end date.
• An incoming tenancy's start date is reminded on the same days, so a back-to-back let is not missed.

A worked example

Rent is due on the 15th. On Thursday 5 November 2026 Kiran gives notice on a joint tenancy with Sam. The earliest end date Abide.Rent accepts is Thursday 14 January 2027, the day before a rent day more than two months away, and it ends the tenancy for both. Reminders go on Tuesday 15 December, Thursday 31 December, Thursday 7 January, Wednesday 13 January and Thursday 14 January 2027. Deductions of £135.00 are proposed on Monday 18 January; both tenants agree on Thursday 21 January, and the deposit is released by Sunday 31 January 2027.

What Abide.Rent does for you

• Works out the earliest valid end date and refuses one that is too soon.
• Applies one joint tenant's notice to the whole tenancy, and tells every tenant.
• Takes nothing from the deposit without the tenants' agreement or the scheme's decision.

If something goes wrong

• “The end date is too soon.”
  What to do: Choose a date at least two months away that is a rent day or the day before one, or record the landlord's written agreement to a shorter date.
• One joint tenant wants to stay
  What to do: One joint tenant's notice ends the tenancy for everyone. Those who want to stay need a new tenancy agreed with the landlord.

Common mistakes

• Accepting an earlier date agreed by the tenants alone. A shorter notice needs the landlord's written agreement.
• Releasing the deposit before every joint tenant has answered.

What to do next

• A tenant's notice to quit, and withdrawing one
• Every legal date Abide.Rent tracks
• Open tenancies