http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1977/43/section/5Protection from Eviction Act 1977An Act to consolidate section 16 of the Rent Act 1957 and Part III of the Rent Act 1965, and related enactments.1977-08-31texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-05Expert Participation2026-05-01 Part II Notice to Quit Validity of notices to quit.51Subject to subsection (1B) below no notice by a landlord or a tenant to quit any premises let (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) as a dwelling shall be valid unless—ait is in writing and contains such information as may be prescribed, andbit is given not less than 4 weeks before the date on which it is to take effect.bit satisfies subsection (1ZA).1ZAA notice to quit satisfies this subsection—awhere it is given by a tenant in relation to premises let under an assured tenancy, if it is given—inot less than any length of time before the date on which the notice is to take effect, not exceeding two months, that the landlord has agreed to in writing, oriiin the absence of agreement under sub-paragraph (i), not less than two months before the date on which the notice is to take effect;botherwise, if it is given not less than four weeks before the date on which it is to take effect.But in relation to landlords under assured tenancies see section 5(1) of the Housing Act 1988 (notice to quit by landlord is of no effect).1ZBIn the case of a joint assured tenancy, an agreement under subsection (1ZA)(a)(i) is not valid unless it is made between the landlord and all of the tenants.1ZCThat does not affect the validity of any notice to quit premises let under a joint assured tenancy that is given by only one or some of the tenants.1ZDIn this section “joint assured tenancy” means an assured tenancy where two or more persons are tenants under the tenancy.1ASubject to subsections (1B) and (1C) below, no notice by a licensor or a licensee to determine a periodic licence to occupy premises as a dwelling (whether the licence was granted before or after the passing of this Act) shall be valid unless—ait is in writing and contains such information as may be prescribed, andbit is given not less than 4 weeks before the date on which it is to take effect.1BNothing in subsection (1) or subsection (1A) above applies to—apremises let on an excluded tenancy which is entered into on or after the date on which the Housing Act 1988 came into force unless it is entered into pursuant to a contract made before that date; orbpremises occupied under an excluded licence.1CBecause of section 232 (forfeiture and notices to quit) of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 1), this section does not apply to a dwelling in Wales which is subject to an occupation contract.2In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument, and a statutory instrument containing any such regulations shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.3Regulations under this section may make different provision in relation to different descriptions of lettings and different circumstances.Words inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 32(1), 44(2)(b)S. 5(1A)(1B) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 32(2), 44(2)(b)Words in s. 5(1A) substituted (1.12.2022) by The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1166), regs. 1(1), 9(2)(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2022/1172, regs. 14, 19)S. 5(1C) inserted (1.12.2022) by The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1166), regs. 1(1), 9(2)(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2022/1172, regs. 14, 19)S. 5(1ZA)-(1ZD) inserted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 20(3), 145(1)(8) (with ss. 31(5)(6), 138, 146(1), 147(1)(2), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 9, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(a)S. 5(1)(b) substituted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 20(2), 145(1)(8) (with ss. 31(5)(6), 138, 146(1), 147(1)(2), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 9, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(a)