What happens when a fixed-term lease ends without a renewal?

If your fixed-term lease reaches its end date and there's no signed renewal in place, you don't need to do anything to keep the tenancy going. PropertyNow switches it to a periodic tenancy automatically and rent collection carries on as normal.

What changes

• The agreement becomes periodic on the same terms. The rent amount and the payment schedule stay exactly as they were.
• Rent keeps being collected. New rent payments continue to be created and processed, so there's no gap while you decide what to do next.
• You both get an email. When the first payment under the periodic arrangement is created, you and your tenant each receive an email confirming the switch.
• There may be one smaller payment first. If the fixed term ended part-way through a rent period, a pro-rata payment closes out the final days before the regular schedule resumes. See Why is there a pro-rata rent payment?.

One thing your tenant needs to do

A PayTo agreement is tied to the fixed term and ends with it, so a tenant paying by PayTo needs to set up a new PayTo agreement for the periodic tenancy. Their email tells them this and their portal prompts them. If they pay by direct debit, nothing changes for them.

It's worth a quick message to your tenant to make sure they've done it, because if the new agreement isn't in place when the next payment is due, that payment can't be collected.

What you can do next

• Renew whenever you're ready. A periodic tenancy can be moved back onto a fixed term, or have its rent changed, using the Update Agreement button on your tenancy dashboard. See How do I renew a tenancy or update the agreement?.
• Or let it run. Plenty of landlords are happy to stay periodic. Rent continues on the same schedule until either of you ends the tenancy with the notice your state requires.

If you had a renewal in progress when the fixed term ended, it's still there. Once your tenant accepts and everyone signs, it takes effect from the start date you chose. See What happens if my tenant doesn't accept or sign the renewal?.

Updated on: 11/09/2026