What is Periodic Tenancy?

Full Definition

A periodic tenancy is a tenancy that continues on a rolling basis -- typically month to month, matching the rent payment cycle -- rather than running for a set fixed term such as six or twelve months. It can arise in two ways: as a "contractual periodic tenancy" if the original tenancy agreement is drafted to roll on that basis from the start, or as a "statutory periodic tenancy" that automatically arises under the Housing Act 1988 when a fixed-term assured shorthold tenancy ends and the tenant simply stays on without a new fixed-term agreement being signed. Under a periodic tenancy, either party generally needs to serve the correct statutory notice to end the arrangement -- a landlord relying on the no-fault route currently still needs a Section 21 notice (with at least two months' notice), while a tenant usually needs to give a full rental period's notice (for example, a full calendar month for a monthly periodic tenancy). Rent reviews, deposit protection rules and repairing obligations continue to apply exactly as they did during the fixed term. Reforms proposed under renters' rights legislation are set to move most tenancies onto a periodic-only model UK-wide and abolish fixed terms for assured tenancies, so check gov.uk for the latest implementation date before relying on fixed-term rules.

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