A periodic tenancy is a rental agreement that rolls over continuously with no set end date. It continues on a period-by-period basis, usually month-to-month if rent is paid monthly, or fortnight-to-fortnight if paid fortnightly. Either the landlord or the tenant can end the tenancy by giving the required notice.
Most periodic tenancies start when a fixed-term lease expires and neither party signs a new one. The tenancy automatically converts to periodic under the same terms as the original lease, except that it no longer has an end date.
How It Ends
Either party can end a periodic tenancy by giving written notice. The required notice periods vary by state and by who is giving notice:
- Tenant giving notice: typically 14 to 28 days, depending on the state
- Landlord giving notice without grounds: typically 60 to 90 days, depending on the state and jurisdiction
- Landlord giving notice with grounds (such as selling the property or moving in): shorter notice periods may apply
The exact rules differ across states and territories. Check your state's tenancy legislation or see our landlord guides by state for specifics.
Rent Increases
Landlords can increase rent during a periodic tenancy, provided they follow the rules for their state. This usually means giving at least 60 days' written notice and not increasing rent more than once every 6 or 12 months, depending on the jurisdiction.
Why It Matters for Landlords
Periodic tenancies offer more flexibility than fixed-term leases, since you can issue a notice to vacate with the required notice period without waiting for a lease to expire. But they also carry more risk, because the tenant can leave with relatively short notice. Many landlords prefer to offer a new fixed-term lease agreement when the original one expires to maintain income certainty. For advice on timing rent changes, see our blog post on when to raise the rent.
propkt shows the current lease status for each property, making it clear whether a tenancy is fixed-term or periodic and when notice can be given.