Landlord 60 Day Notice To Vacate Template for England and Wales

A Landlord 60 Day Notice To Vacate is a formal legal document that allows you to reclaim possession of your rental property in England and Wales. This notice gives tenants the minimum statutory period required under housing legislation to leave the premises, ensuring compliance with tenant protection laws while protecting your rights as a landlord.

What is a 60 day notice to vacate?

It is a written letter from a landlord telling a tenant the date by which they must vacate and hand back the property. In England and Wales the statutory minimum for a no-fault possession notice is two months, so a 60 day notice gives the tenant at least that full period. The notice states the address, the tenant's name, the date the notice is served, and the date the tenant is expected to leave. It is not the same as an eviction notice: it sets the tenancy end date and starts the process, but a court order is needed to remove a tenant who stays.

When do you need this document?

You need this notice when you want to end an assured shorthold tenancy and regain possession of your property. Common situations include when your fixed-term tenancy has expired and you don't wish to renew, when you need the property for personal use or sale, or when you want to increase rent beyond what the tenant will accept. This notice is also used when the tenancy has become periodic and you want to terminate it without alleging any fault by the tenant. On a periodic tenancy the notice must line up with the rental period so the end date is valid. Unlike Section 8 notices that require grounds for possession, this notice doesn't require you to prove tenant misconduct. It is a possession notice rather than an eviction: it starts the process, but it does not itself force a tenant to leave.

How to give notice correctly

To give notice, serve the document on the tenant using an approved method: by hand, by recorded delivery post, or by leaving it at the property. Send it in a way you can prove, keep a copy, and note the date of service, since the vacate date is counted from when the notice reaches the tenant. Check the terms of the tenancy agreement, as some agreements set out a specific service address or method that you must follow.

What should the notice include? An example

A clear notice is easier to rely on. As a worked example, a valid notice served in 2026 would set out:

• The full address of the rented property.
• The tenant's full name and the landlord's name and contact details.
• The date the notice is given (served).
• The date by which the tenant must vacate, at least two months (60 days) after the date of service.
• The statutory information about the tenant's rights and where they can get help and support.
• The landlord's signature.

For example, a notice given on 1 March 2026 would specify a vacate date no earlier than 1 May 2026, so the tenant has the full period to find a new home and leave.

Key legal considerations

Several critical requirements must be met before serving this notice. You must ensure your tenant's deposit is protected in an authorised scheme and that prescribed information has been provided. Current gas safety certificates, energy performance certificates, and electrical safety certificates must be in place and copies provided to tenants. The notice must be served correctly using approved methods and include precise vacation dates that allow the full notice period. The property must be your tenant's main residence, and you cannot serve notice during the first four months of the tenancy. Additionally, if you've received a possession order previously, you cannot serve a new notice within six months unless specific conditions are met.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Housing Act 1988 and Deregulation Act 2015, this notice must give at least two months' notice and can only be served after any fixed term has ended. The notice must be in the prescribed form and include specific statutory information about tenant rights and where to seek advice. Service must be effected properly, typically by hand delivery, recorded delivery post, or leaving it at the property. Compliance with all procedural requirements matters, including deposit protection, safety certificates, and proper notice periods. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 also requires compliance with prohibited fees legislation. If you use a letting agent, they must meet their obligations under estate agent legislation. Any breach of these requirements can invalidate your notice, potentially requiring you to start the process again and incur additional costs and delays.

What happens after the 60 days?

The notice sets the date by which the tenant is expected to leave. Many tenants make arrangements and vacate within the period stated in the letter. If a tenant chooses to stay after the notice date, the tenancy does not end automatically, and the next step is applying for a possession order. Only a court order (enforced by bailiffs) can lawfully require the tenant to leave, and it is unlawful to change the locks or remove a tenant without following that process. A well-drafted notice, served with the correct dates and information, is what keeps that route open. You may also want a matching notice to quit or lease agreement for periodic tenancies.