How much notice do I need to give to move out in Western Australia?
You must give at least 21 days' written notice to move out in Western Australia for a periodic lease. For a fixed-term lease, you must provide at least 30 days' written notice before the expiration date to end the agreement on time.
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How it works in practice
Ending a Periodic Lease
If you are renting on a periodic lease (a rolling contract with no fixed end date) in Western Australia, you are legally required to provide your landlord or property manager with at least 21 days' written notice of your intention to vacate.
You do not need to provide a specific reason for leaving, but your notice must be in writing. The 21-day period begins the day after the notice is officially received by the landlord or agent, so you must factor in delivery times if using regular mail.
Ending a Fixed-Term Lease
Many tenants mistakenly believe they can simply hand the keys back on the final day of a fixed-term lease. In Western Australia, you must provide at least 30 days' written notice before the end date of your tenancy agreement if you intend to move out when the contract expires.
If you fail to provide this 30-day notice, your fixed-term agreement will automatically transition into a periodic lease, and you will continue to be liable for rent until proper notice is given and the respective timeframe is fulfilled. Ensure you retain a copy of your written notice for your records.
Important exceptions
If the property becomes completely uninhabitable or is destroyed, you can end the tenancy immediately by giving just two days' written notice.
Tenants experiencing family and domestic violence can legally end their tenancy with seven days' notice using a formal legal notice of termination on grounds of family violence.
If you need to break a fixed-term lease early without a legally protected reason, you are breaking the contract. In this scenario, you will typically be responsible for paying rent until a new tenant is found, as well as reasonable re-letting and advertising costs incurred by the landlord.
What you should do now
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Review your current tenancy agreement to confirm whether you are on a periodic or fixed-term lease.
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Calculate the correct notice period required (21 days for periodic, or 30 days for fixed-term).
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Draft a formal written notice of your intention to leave, including the exact date you will vacate the property.
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Deliver the notice to your landlord or property manager via an approved method, such as email or registered post.
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Keep a copy of the written notice and any delivery receipts or confirmation emails for your personal records.
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