Giving notice

Ending a lease is not the same as an eviction. It’s the termination of the rental agreement and gives notice to the other party that the property will be empty by a certain date. 

If either you or the landlord want to end a lease, the amount of notice required will depend on:

• the type of lease
• who is ending it
• the reason for ending it.

NSW Fair Trading has information on minimum notice periods required, depending on the type of agreement.

If you are on a fixed term lease (for a specific period of time) and want to move out before the end of the lease, you’ll likely have to pay some costs, unless you:

• are experiencing financial hardship - in this case, you'll need to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• have accepted an offer of social housing, or
• need to move into a nursing or care home.

Your lease will usually specify the fees you'll be charged for ending a lease early.

In some situations, your landlord may be able to end a fixed term lease early. This could be because:

• they’re experiencing financial hardship - there's no minimum notice period, but they'll need to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• they’re selling the property - 30 days’ notice (for periodic agreements)
• you've breached your tenancy agreement - 14 days' notice.

If you don't move out by the end of the notice period, the landlord can apply to the tribunal to have you evicted. Learn more about what happens if you're evicted.

Learn more about what happens when your landlord ends a lease at Tenants' Union of New South Wales.