Notice periods for ending a tenancy

There are rules and timeframes that must be followed when ending a tenancy. A tenant, property manager or property owner can all issue a notice ending a tenancy.

If the correct notice and form are not used, the other person may ask for compensation.

When serving notices by post, the sender must allow time for the mail to arrive when working out when a notice period ends.

Tenant gives notice

General tenancies

The tenant gives notice to the property manager/owner using a Notice of intention to leave (Form 13). Minimum notice periods apply.

With grounds (reasons)	Minimum notice period
Unremedied breach	7 days
Non-compliance with QCAT order	7 days
Non-liveability	The day it is given
Compulsory acquisition	2 weeks
Intention to sell	2 weeks

Without grounds (reasons)

A tenant must give at least 14 days' notice, unless the property manager/owner has breached the agreement. The tenancy ends on the end date of the agreement or the end date of the notice period (whichever is longer).

Type of tenancy agreement	Minimum notice period
Periodic agreement	14 days
Fixed term agreement	14 days

Caravan park (moveable dwelling) tenancies

The tenant gives notice to the caravan park manager using a Notice of intention to leave. Minimum notice periods apply.

With grounds (reasons)	Minimum notice period
With grounds (reasons)	Long term tenancy	Short term tenancy
Unremedied breach	2 days	n/a
Non-compliance with QCAT order	7 days	1 day
Non-liveability	The day it is given	The day it is given
Compulsory acquisition	2 weeks	1 day
Intention to sell	2 weeks	1 day

Without grounds

For a long term tenancy, the tenant must give at least 14 days' notice, unless the caravan park manager has breached the agreement. The tenancy ends on the end date of the agreement or the end date of the notice period (whichever is longer).

Type of tenancy agreement	Minimum notice period
Type of tenancy agreement	Long term tenancy	Short term tenancy
Periodic agreement	14 days	1 day
Fixed term agreement	14 days	1 day

Rooming accommodation

The tenant gives notice to the rooming accommodation manager using a Resident leaving form - rooming accommodation (Form R13). Minimum notice periods apply.

With grounds (reasons)	Minimum notice period
Failure to remedy breach	7 days
Property destroyed or made completely or partly unfit to live in	Immediately

Without grounds

A tenant must give at least 7 days' notice, unless the rooming accommodation manager has breached the agreement. The tenancy ends on the end date of the agreement or the end date of the notice period (whichever is longer).

Type of tenancy agreement	Minimum notice period
Periodic agreement	7 days
Fixed term agreement	7 days

Property manager/owner or provider gives notice

General tenancies

The property manager/owner gives notice to the tenant using a Notice to leave (Form 12). Minimum notice periods apply.

With grounds (reasons)	Minimum notice period
Unremedied breach – rent arrears	7 days
Unremedied breach – general	14 days
Non-compliance with tribunal order	7 days
Non-liveability	The day it is given
Compulsory acquisition	2 months
Sale contract (periodic only)	4 weeks
Employment termination	4 weeks
Ending of accommodation assistance	4 weeks
Ending of housing assistance	1 month
Serious breach (public housing or community housing)	7 days
Mortgagee in possession (depends if mortgagee has consented to tenancy)	2 months
Death of a sole tenant (parties can agree on an earlier date)	2 weeks

Without grounds

A tenant must be given at least 2 months' notice, unless they have breached the agreement. However, the tenancy only ends on the end date of the agreement or the end date of the notice period (whichever is later).

Type of tenancy agreement	Minimum notice period
Periodic agreement	2 months
Fixed term agreement	2 months

Caravan park (moveable dwelling) tenancies

The caravan park manager gives notice to the tenant using a Notice to leave. Minimum notice periods apply.

With grounds (reasons)	Minimum notice period
With grounds (reasons)	Long term tenancy	Short term tenancy
Unremedied breach – rent arrears	2 days	n/a
Unremedied breach – general	2 days	n/a
Non-compliance with tribunal order	7 days	2 days
Non-compliance (moveable dwelling location)	2 days	2 days
Non-liveability	The day it is given	The day it is given
Compulsory acquisition	2 months	2 days
Sale contract (periodic only)	4 weeks	2 days
Voluntary park closure	3 months	2 days
Compulsory park closure	The day it is given	The day it is given
Employment termination	4 weeks	2 days
Ending of accommodation assistance	4 weeks	2 days
Ending of housing assistance	2 months	2 days
Mortgagee in possession (depends if mortgagee has consented to the tenancy)	2 months	No exemption for moveable dwelling short term
Death of a sole tenant (parties can agree on an earlier date)	2 weeks	No exemption for moveable dwelling short term

Without grounds

For a long term tenancy, a tenant must be given at least 2 months notice, unless they have breached the agreement. The tenancy only ends on the end date of the agreement or the end date of the notice period (whichever is later).

Type of tenancy agreement	Minimum notice period
Type of tenancy agreement	Long term tenancy	Short term tenancy
Periodic agreement	2 months	2 days
Fixed term agreement	2 months	2 days

Rooming accommodation

The rooming accommodation manager gives notice to the tenant using a Notice to leave - rooming accommodation (Form R12). Minimum notice periods apply.

With grounds (reasons)	Minimum notice period
Failure to remedy general breach	2 days
Failure to remedy rent breach – less than 28 days	Immediately
Failure to remedy rent breach – 28 days or more	4 days
Serious breach	Immediately
Property destroyed	Immediately
Property acquired compulsorily under law	2 months
Employment ends or entitlement to occupy under employment ends	1 month
Mortgagee in possession	30 days
Death of a sole resident	7 days (parties can agree on an earlier date)

Without grounds

A tenant must be given at least 14 days notice, unless they have breached the agreement. The tenancy only ends on the end date of the agreement or the end date of the notice period (whichever is later).