Retirement Homes and Tenancy Issues - FAQ

I live in a retirement home and have to move out. Do I have to give my landlord a notice?

Yes, you have to notify your landlord in writing that you are terminating your tenancy. According to the Residential Tenancies Act, you must give your landlord a 30 day notice. The 30 day period begins the day you give the landlord a written notice. In most cases you do not have to pay for services from your landlord after you move out. If you move out and your landlord is able to rent to someone else before the 30 days is up, you are not responsible for paying for those days your apartment or room has been re-rented. The notice to your landlord must identify your room or apartment, state the date of termination, and must be signed by you.

I live in a rental apartment and I want to move out. Do I have to give my landlord a notice?

If you live in an ordinary apartment or other rental accommodation where you do not pay for care services or meals from your landlord, you must give your landlord a notice in writing to end your tenancy. If you pay rent by the month and do not have a fixed term lease (for example, for one year) you must give a 60 day notice. The 60 day period begins on the first day of the beginning of the next rental period, not from the day you give the notice to your landlord. For example, suppose you rent an apartment on a monthly basis and pay your rent on the first day of each month. If you decide on April 15th that you want to end your tenancy, you must give your landlord a 60 day notice. The 60 day period begins on May the 1st and runs until the end of June. If you move out early and your landlord is able to re-rent your apartment before the 60 days is up, you do not have to pay for the days it has been re-rented. The notice to your landlord must identify your room or apartment, state the date of termination, and must be signed by you.

If you have a lease for a fixed term, you cannot terminate your tenancy before the end of the term unless your landlord agrees to it or you get an order from the Ontario Landlord Tenant Act to end your tenancy. Otherwise, a 60 day notice to your landlord is required to terminate a fixed term tenancy at the end of the term.