If you are renting a property and you don`t have a written tenancy agreement, you may be wondering what your notice period should be. While not having a tenancy agreement may make things more challenging, there are still rules in place that both you and your landlord need to follow.
In the absence of a written agreement, your tenancy will likely be considered an `oral agreement.` This means that you and your landlord have verbally agreed on the terms of your tenancy, including the rent you will pay and the length of time you`ll be staying in the property. While not having a written agreement is not ideal, it doesn`t mean that your tenancy is not legally binding.
When it comes to a notice period, the law states that you must give your landlord `reasonable notice` before you leave the property. This means that you need to give your landlord enough notice that they can find a new tenant to take over the property once you`ve left. What constitutes `reasonable notice` will depend on a range of factors, including how long you`ve been living in the property, the type of tenancy you have, and the rental market in your area.
If you have been living in the property for less than six months, then you should give your landlord at least four weeks` notice before you leave. If you have been living in the property for more than six months, then you should give your landlord at least two months` notice.
It`s important to note that giving your landlord notice is just the beginning of the process. You`ll need to make sure that you leave the property in good condition, and that you`ve paid all of your rent and bills up to the date that you leave. Your landlord will also need to return your deposit to you, less any deductions that they need to make for damage to the property or unpaid rent.
In summary, if you find yourself in the position of not having a written tenancy agreement, there are still rules in place that you and your landlord need to follow. Make sure that you give your landlord enough notice before leaving the property, and ensure that you leave the property in good condition and that you`ve paid all of your rent and bills. By doing so, you`ll be able to leave on good terms and avoid any legal disputes down the line.