How much notice do I need to give to move out in the ACT?
You must give at least three weeks' written notice to move out in the ACT for a periodic lease. If you are on a fixed-term lease, you can provide three weeks' notice to end the agreement on or after the official end date of your contract.
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How it works in practice
Notice Periods for Periodic Agreements
If you are on a periodic (month-to-month) lease in the Australian Capital Territory, the law requires you to provide a minimum of three weeks' written notice to your landlord or real estate agent before you intend to move out.
This three-week period begins from the date the notice is officially received by the agent or landlord, not the date you send it. You remain fully responsible for paying rent up until the end of this notice period, even if you choose to hand the keys back early.
Notice Periods for Fixed-Term Agreements
If you are currently on a fixed-term lease, you cannot simply give three weeks' notice to leave early without potentially facing financial penalties. You must fulfill the duration of the contract.
However, if you want to move out exactly when your fixed-term agreement ends, you are required to provide three weeks' written notice leading up to that end date. If you fail to give notice, your lease will automatically convert into a periodic tenancy once the fixed term expires, and the standard three-week notice rule will then apply whenever you eventually decide to leave.
Important exceptions
There are specific exceptions where you can end your tenancy with less notice or without penalty in the ACT.
If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, you can apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) to end the lease immediately without financial penalty.
Additionally, if the landlord has severely breached the tenancy agreement, such as failing to provide a habitable property or refusing critical urgent repairs, you may be legally entitled to issue a notice to vacate for breach.
Finally, if you need to break a fixed-term lease early due to extreme hardship, ACAT can officially terminate the agreement, though you may still owe some compensation.
What you should do now
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Review your current tenancy agreement to confirm whether you are on a fixed-term or periodic lease.
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Calculate your exact move-out date by adding at least 21 days (three weeks) to the date you plan to submit your notice.
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Draft a formal written notice to vacate, ensuring it includes the property address, your intended move-out date, and your signature.
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Deliver the notice to your landlord or property manager via an approved method, such as email or registered post, and keep a copy for your records.
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Continue paying your rent in full up to your designated move-out date to avoid breaching your lease agreement.
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