Many landlords are not entirely sure of the procedures required when giving a notice to quit to a shorthold tenant. Although the law has been simplified, it has been simplified only for those people whose paper work follows the rules exactly, and it remains vital to prepare documents precisely, and in a timely fashion.
New tenancies are now, by default, shorthold tenancies.
Shorthold tenancies grant a fixed term to the tenant, usually six months, but the tenancy continues after that six months unless it is brought to an end. Unless otherwise stated, the tenant can bring the tenancy to an end within the period though the landlord may not end the tenancy within that initial period unless there is good cause. The tenant has to give one months notice of his intention to quit, but the land lord must give to the tenant two months notice to quit. Complex rules apply to the calculation of these periods, but it is sensible to act on the basis that any notice must expire on a rent day. In other words if the rent is payable on the first day of each month, the notice to terminate the tenancy must be served on the tenant before the next rent day and would then give the tenant a further full two months.