So You Wanna Ditch Your Digs? A Guide to Giving Notice to Your Landlord in Ontario (Because Adulting, But With Jokes)
Let's face it, even the best apartment can get a bit stale after a while. Maybe your neighbour's tuba collection is starting to grate on your nerves, or perhaps you finally saved up enough to escape that basement that doubles as a bat cave (no offense to bats, they're cool). Whatever the reason, it's time to move on! But before you blast Van Halen's "Jump" and hightail it out of there, there's a little hurdle to jump over: giving notice to your landlord.
The Great Notice Caper: How Much Time Do You Owe?
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The amount of notice you need to give depends on the kind of rental agreement you have:
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Monthly Maharaja/Maharani: This is the most common situation. You're basically royalty in your own space, but with a monthly rent payment (minus the crown and jewels). In this case, you gotta give your landlord at least 60 days' notice. Underline that 60. Don't be a sneaky prince or princess, give them ample warning.
Weekly Wanderlust: If your rent is due weekly, you only need to provide 28 days' notice. That's like a month, minus a weekend of Netflix binging.
Daily Dose of Dwelling: This is a less common situation, but hey, maybe you're living out some eccentric millionaire lifestyle where rent is paid by the day. In this case, you still need to give notice, but it's only 28 days.
But Wait, There's More! Notice Ninja Tips
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Always give notice in writing: A verbal heads-up is nice, but it can't save you if things go south. Use a fancy-schmancy official form called an N9 (https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/forms/) or write a clear letter stating your intention to move out and the date.
Deliver it properly: Don't just shove it under the door and hope for the best. Give it to your landlord directly, or send it registered mail. Proof of delivery is your friend.
Termination Date? Make it the Last Day of Your Rental Period: Want to avoid any confusion? End your tenancy on the last day of your rent cycle, be it the last day of the month or week.
FAQ: Notice Edition (Because We Know You Have Questions)
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
- How to avoid a grumpy landlord by giving proper notice? See all the tips above! Clear communication is key.
- How to convince my landlord to let me move out earlier than the notice period? This is a negotiation. Be polite, offer to help find a new tenant, and see if they'll budge. But be prepared to pay rent for the full notice period if they don't agree.
- How to deal with a landlord who won't accept my notice? If they're being unreasonable, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board (https://www.ontario.ca/page/renting-ontario-your-rights). They can help mediate the situation.
- How to celebrate a successful notice-giving mission? Pizza party! High fives! Bonus points if you can finally blast that Van Halen song without worrying about the neighbours.
- How to make sure this whole moving thing doesn't turn into a disaster? Stay tuned for our next guide: "How to Survive Moving Day Without Losing Your Sanity (and Your Firstborn Child)".
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