60 Day Notice To Vacate Apartment Template for England and Wales

A 60 Day Notice To Vacate Apartment is a crucial legal document that enables landlords in England and Wales to formally request possession of their rental property. This notice serves as the first step in the legal process of regaining control of your property and must be served correctly to ensure its validity in potential court proceedings.

When do you need this document?

You'll need this notice when your fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancy is coming to an end and you don't wish to renew the agreement. It's also required when you want to end a periodic tenancy that continues after the fixed term has expired. This document is essential if you're selling your property, need it for personal use, or wish to renovate extensively. Property managers and letting agents frequently use this notice on behalf of landlords when tenancy arrangements need to conclude. You may also need this notice if tenants have been served previous warnings about lease violations and the situation hasn't improved.

Key legal considerations

The notice must provide exactly 60 days from the date of service until the vacation date, and this period cannot be shortened under any circumstances. Your notice is only valid if you've protected the tenant's deposit in an approved scheme and provided the required deposit information within 30 days of receiving it. The document must clearly identify all parties, include the complete property address, and reference the original tenancy agreement. You cannot serve this notice during the first four months of the tenancy, and it must expire on the last day of a rental period. If tenants don't vacate voluntarily, you'll need this notice as evidence in possession proceedings, making accuracy absolutely critical.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Housing Act 1988 and Deregulation Act 2015, your notice must be served using prescribed methods including personal delivery, recorded post, or leaving it at the property. The Deregulation Act 2015 introduced additional requirements that make invalid notices unenforceable in court, so compliance is essential. You must ensure that all statutory information was provided to tenants at the start of the tenancy, including How to Rent guides and gas safety certificates. The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 requires that you cannot force entry or harass tenants during the notice period. Recent changes under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 mean that local authority licensing requirements may also affect your ability to serve valid notices, particularly in areas with selective licensing schemes.