Minimum notice periods for ending a residential tenancy

Key information

• This page lists minimum notice periods for different reasons for ending a tenancy for both fixed-term and periodic agreements.
• These notice periods are designed to give tenants enough time to find another rental property, and landlords enough time to find a tenant.
• A landlord and tenant can agree to end the tenancy at any time.

Learn more about fixed-term and periodic residential tenancy agreements. 

Note that if you have an occupancy agreement you have different rights under the law. Learn more about boarding houses and occupancy agreements.

Notice periods listed by reason for ending a tenancy

Breach of agreement

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: 14 days
• Tenant notice period: 14 days or apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a termination order.

Note: a breach of agreement is breaking any of the terms of the lease.

Breach of information disclosure under section 26

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period: 14 days or apply to the Tribunal after 14 days.

Note: see Information a tenant needs at start of tenancy, where a breach of information disclosure to a tenant is explained. 

Co-tenant terminates their tenancy

• Type of tenancy agreement: Periodic only
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period: 21 days

Death of a co-tenant

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period: 21 days

Death of a sole tenant

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None
• Tenant notice period: None (notice given by tenant's legal personal representative)

Domestic violence

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period: None for a victim of domestic violence

Get more information about ending a tenancy because of domestic violence.

Early termination without penalty

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term only
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period:14 days

Note: This applies when a tenant ends their lease because they are moving to an aged-care facility or social housing, or the landlord decides to sell the property (unless this was disclosed before entry into the lease), or the property is listed on the Loose-fill Asbestos Insulation register (either during the lease or before the lease and the tenant was not told).

End of the fixed term agreement

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term only
• Landlord notice period: 30 days*
• Tenant notice period: 14 days

* Note: Does not apply where the tenant has occupied the property for 20 years or more. See long term tenancies below.

End of the periodic agreement (no specified reason)*

• Type of tenancy agreement: Periodic only
• Landlord notice period: 90 days**
• Tenant notice period: 21 days***

* Note: Does not apply where the tenant has occupied the property for 20 years or more. See long term tenancies below.

**If a landlord gives a 90 day termination notice for a periodic tenancy, the tenant can vacate the premises at any time before the 90 days has expired, and is not required to pay rent after they have vacated the premises.

***In a shared tenancy, one co-tenant can also terminate a tenancy using this ground if they serve the termination notice on the landlord and on the other co-tenants. See our page about shared tenancies for more information.

End of the periodic employee or caretaker agreement (no specified reason)

• Type of tenancy agreement: Periodic only
• Landlord notice period: 28 days*
• Tenant notice period: 21 days

* Note: Does not apply where the tenant has occupied the property for 20 years or more. See long term tenancies below.

Hardship for landlord

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None*
• Tenant notice period: N/A

*Note: No notice required but must apply to the Tribunal.

Hardship for tenant

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term only
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period: None*

* Note: No notice required but must apply to the Tribunal.

Landlord has entered into a contract to sell the property requiring vacant possession

• Type of tenancy agreement: Periodic
• Landlord notice period: 30 days*
• Tenant notice period: N/A

* Note: For a fixed term agreement, the termination date cannot be before the end of the fixed term. If a landlord enters into a contract of sale during a fixed term tenancy and fails to notify the tenant, a tenant can vacate the premises, providing 14 days notice without paying a break lease fee.

Long term tenancies

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None*
• Tenant notice period: N/A

* Note: No notice required but must apply to the Tribunal. For a fixed-term agreement, the termination date specified in the Tribunal's order cannot be before the end of the fixed term.

Non-payment of rent or water usage charges or utility charges

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: 14 days
• Tenant notice period: N/A

See also non-payment of utilities page.

Property destroyed, uninhabitable, unusable or is compulsorily acquired

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None
• Tenant notice period: None

Remaining occupants after tenancy ends

• Type of tenancy agreement: N/A
• Landlord notice period: 14 days
• Tenant notice period: N/A

Note: this applies if non-tenants who occupied the rented property with a tenant remain in the property after the tenancy has ended. See our page about shared tenancies for more information.

Rent increase during fixed-term agreement of 2 years or more

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term only
• Landlord notice period: N/A
• Tenant notice period: 21 days (and before the increase starts)

Retaliatory eviction

If a landlord or agent gives a termination notice to end a tenancy when a tenant tries to enforce their legal rights (such as asking for repairs and in some other circumstances), a tenant can apply to the Tribunal for an order that the termination notice was retaliatory and has no effect.

They must apply before the termination date in the notice and within:
30 days of being given a 90-day termination notice for a periodic agreement or
14 days for other termination notices.

If the landlord or agent has applied to the Tribunal for a termination order, a tenant can attend the hearing and argue that the application was retaliatory.
If the Tribunal does make a termination order, it will also make an order for possession.

If the tenant refuses to leave, a warrant for possession will apply.
 

Tenant or other occupant caused serious damage or injury

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None
• Tenant notice period: N/A

Note: No notice required but must apply to the Tribunal.

Tenant or other occupant threatens, abuses, intimidates or harasses

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None
• Tenant notice period: N/A

Note: No notice required but must apply to the Tribunal.

Tenant or other occupant using the property illegally

• Type of tenancy agreement: Fixed-term or periodic
• Landlord notice period: None
• Tenant notice period: N/A

Note: No notice required but must apply to the Tribunal.