Boarding houses: Renting a room
Ending a boarding house tenancy
How much notice do I have to give when I move out?
Residential Tenancies Act 1986, s 66V
You can end your boarding house tenancy by giving just 48 hours’ notice. It doesn’t have to be in writing, and you don’t have to give any reasons.
Note: If there’s an end date written into a boarding house tenancy agreement, some landlords will argue that the tenant has to stay and pay rent until that end date. The law isn’t absolutely clear on this, so consider getting more advice from 0800 TENANCY or from a Community Law Centre.
How much notice does a boarding house landlord have to give?
Residential Tenancies Act 1986, ss 66U, 66X
Your boarding house landlord can usually end the tenancy by giving you four weeks’ notice (28 days), without giving any reasons. This has to be in writing.
But legally they can give you just two days’ notice (48 hours) if you still owe rent 10 days after you got a written overdue rent notice from the landlord. They can also give you just two days’ notice (48 hours) if you’ve used your room for something illegal.
They can end the tenancy immediately if you’ve caused or threatened serious damage or serious disruption to the other tenants, or if you’re a danger to people or property.
If you’ve been given less than the usual four weeks’ notice and you don’t think this is justified, you can complain to the Tenancy Tribunal.
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