Ending an AST

Ending an AST once the fixed term has ended or after the initial 6 months of a periodic AST

Once the fixed term of an AST has ended, or after the initial 6 months of a periodic AST, the landlord does not have to give a reason in order to bring an AST to an end.

However, the landlord must follow the legal procedure including giving notice and obtaining a court order.

To end an AST, without citing any grounds, the landlord must serve a Notice Requiring Possession giving at least 2 months notice in writing.

In the case of a periodic tenancy this notice period must end on the day before the rent is due.

Once the notice period has expired the landlord can apply to the County Court for a Possession Order. The Court must then grant the order provided that the notice is valid and that either the fixed term of 6 months or more, or the initial six months of a periodic tenancy has elapsed.

If there is a written tenancy agreement then the landlord can use the accelerated possession procedure, which allows a possession order to be granted without a hearing.

However, the tenant can still request a hearing or the Judge might decide to call one.

Hearings still take place in something like 80% of cases where the tenant enters a defence to the court summons.

Ending an AST during the fixed term or the initial 6 months of a periodic AST

During the fixed term of an AST, or during the initial 6 months of a periodic AST, the landlord has to have a good reason to bring an AST to an end.

The landlord can only seek possession on grounds 2,8,10,11,12,13,14,15 or 17 [see Grounds for Possession] and only if the tenancy agreement specifically refers to these grounds.