A periodic tenancy has no fixed end date, it rolls from period to period (typically month to month) until the landlord or tenant brings it to an end. Before 1 May 2026, most private tenancies in England started as fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) and then became periodic when the fixed term expired. From 1 May 2026, no new fixed-term ASTs can be created. All new tenancies must be Periodic Assured Tenancies (PATs) from day one.
Weighing up where to get a compliant periodic tenancy agreement? See our honest comparison of the best sources for landlord tenancy templates in 2026, from free gov.uk forms to association libraries, solicitors and LetSafe.
An AST has a fixed term (typically 6 or 12 months) and then becomes periodic. A PAT is periodic from day one, no fixed term, no end date. From 1 May 2026, ASTs cannot be used for new lettings in England.
What existing tenancies become on 1 May 2026
Every existing AST, whether still in its fixed term or already periodic, automatically converts to a Periodic Assured Tenancy on 1 May 2026 by operation of law. No new agreement is required. Tenants do not need to sign anything. The terms of the original tenancy (rent, property address, permitted occupants) carry over into the PAT.
How rent periods work in a periodic tenancy
- Rent period = notice period for the tenant. If rent is due monthly, the tenancy is a monthly periodic tenancy and the tenant must give one month's notice to leave.
- Landlord's notice period is longer. Landlords must use a Section 8 notice with the applicable statutory notice period, they cannot simply give one month's notice.
- Weekly tenancies, rent is due weekly; tenant gives one week's notice to leave.
How landlords raise the rent on a periodic tenancy
From 1 May 2026, all rent increases on Periodic Assured Tenancies must use the Section 13 statutory process. Contractual rent review clauses (e.g. annual CPI escalators) are unenforceable on PATs.
- Complete Form 4A, the prescribed Section 13 notice.
- Give at least 2 months' written notice of the proposed new rent.
- You can only increase rent once every 12 months.
- If the tenant considers the proposed rent above market rate, they can refer it to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) before the effective date.
How a periodic tenancy ends
| Who ends it | How | Notice required |
|---|---|---|
| Tenant | Written notice (notice to quit) | One rent period's notice (minimum 4 weeks by statute) |
| Landlord | Section 8 notice citing a statutory ground | Depends on ground, 2 weeks to 4 months |
| Both parties | Surrender by agreement | No statutory notice required, document the surrender in writing |
Drafting a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement
A compliant PAT agreement for England from 1 May 2026 must:
- Describe the tenancy as a Periodic Assured Tenancy, not an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
- Specify the rent period (monthly is most common).
- Include a compliant pet request clause, blanket pet bans are unenforceable.
- Contain no fixed-term end date.
- Not include a contractual rent review clause, use Section 13 for increases.
- Not include a break clause that operates like a fixed-term end date.
LetSafe UK's Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement (LS-E-001, �29) is drafted for the post-1-May-2026 regime, includes the compliant pet clause, and carries a regulation-current guarantee.