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21 days: end of a periodic agreement14 days: end of the fixed term14-day early exit noticeOther tenant groundsHow days are countedPosted noticeWorked examples21 days: end of a periodic agreement
A tenant ending a periodic agreement on the ordinary pathway gives at least 21 calendar days notice.
14 days: end of the fixed term
The common tenant end-of-fixed-term pathway uses at least 14 calendar days, while the written fixed-term end still controls when the tenancy can end under that pathway.
14-day early exit notice
After receiving a landlord termination notice, a qualifying fixed-term tenant can use the current 14-day early-exit pathway. Eligibility must be checked before relying on the calculated date.
Other tenant grounds
Breach, non-disclosure, domestic violence, unusable premises, death and other special circumstances have specific conditions and may require an official check.
How days are counted
The service day is excluded. Ordinary notice periods use calendar days, so weekends and statewide public holidays remain within the count.
Posted notice
A posted termination notice receives seven working days for delivery before the notice period begins. Weekends, NSW public holidays and the bank holiday are skipped; local holidays still need confirmation.
Worked examples
An emailed 21-day periodic notice served on 1 February counts 2 February as day one. A posted notice first resolves the seven-working-day delivery allowance, then starts its 14-day or 21-day period.
Current notice periods at a glance
This table is generated from the same versioned rule data as the calculator. Complex or redirect pathways are labelled for an official check.
| Ground | Agreement | Minimum period | Tool status |
|---|---|---|---|
| End a periodic agreement | Periodic | 21 days | Calculated |
| End the fixed term when it expires | Fixed term | 14 days | Calculated |
| Co-tenant ending only their own tenancy | Fixed term / Periodic | 21 days | Official check |
| Death of a co-tenant | Fixed term / Periodic | 21 days | Official check |
| Landlord breach of the agreement | Fixed term / Periodic | 14 days | Calculated |
| Required information was not disclosed | Fixed term / Periodic | 14 days | Calculated |
| Early exit notice after receiving a landlord termination notice | Fixed term / Periodic | 14 days | Calculated |
| Early termination without penalty — eligible circumstance | Fixed term / Periodic | 14 days | Official check |
| Rent increase on a qualifying long fixed term | Fixed term / Periodic | 21 days | Official check |
| Domestic violence termination | Fixed term / Periodic | 0 days | Official check |
| Property is unusable | Fixed term / Periodic | 0 days | Official check |
| Death of sole tenant — legal representative | Fixed term / Periodic | 0 days | Official check |
| Something else / I’m not sure | Fixed term / Periodic | 0 days | Official check |
NSW Fair Trading
Common questions
When is NSW tenant notice 21 days?
A common NSW tenant periodic ending uses 21 days. End-of-fixed-term and selected early pathways use 14 days.
When is tenant notice 14 days?
Fourteen days applies to several paths, but not every path. Select the actor, agreement and ground before relying on that period.
Can a fixed-term tenant leave early?
The answer depends on the state, person giving notice, agreement type, ground and service method. Use the calculator, then check the linked official source.
What is an early exit notice?
The answer depends on the state, person giving notice, agreement type, ground and service method. Use the calculator, then check the linked official source.
Do weekends count?
For covered Queensland rules, a period ending on a weekend or applicable public holiday moves to the next business day.
Does post add seven working days?
Post changes the service calculation. Queensland requires enough time for delivery; supported NSW termination paths add seven working days before the notice period begins.
Can I give more notice than the minimum?
The answer depends on the state, person giving notice, agreement type, ground and service method. Use the calculator, then check the linked official source.