Why it matters
What Statutory Periodic Tenancy means for a landlord
Understanding this term matters mainly for reading older agreements and case law: before the reforms, a tenancy typically ran as a fixed term and then became a statutory periodic tenancy on the same terms. Under the Renters’ Rights Act there is no fixed term to expire, every assured tenancy is periodic immediately, the tenant can leave on two months’ notice, and the landlord must use a Section 8 ground to seek possession. A tenancy agreement that still relies on the old fixed-term-then-periodic structure needs updating.
Worked example
How it plays out
Anne’s tenant in Stockport signed a 12-month tenancy in 2022 and stayed on when it ended, so from 2023 it was a statutory periodic tenancy. On 1 May 2026 it became an assured periodic tenancy like every other private tenancy, and the distinction no longer matters for how it runs.
Common mistakes
Where landlords go wrong
- 01Treating older statutory periodic tenancies as different from other tenancies now.
- 02Using renewal paperwork to create a new fixed term.
- 03Relying on case law about statutory periodic tenancies without checking the current rules.
What to do
A short checklist
- Record every tenancy as an assured periodic tenancy.
- Update old templates.
- Check rent increase dates using Section 13.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 16 September 2026. A guide to the rules in England, not legal advice: for a dispute or a possession claim, speak to a solicitor.
