Notice to End Tenancy
High RiskA formal written notice, given by a tenant or landlord, that states the intention to end a tenancy on a specified date in accordance with the required notice period.
In Plain English
A notice to end tenancy is the official document that starts the clock on ending a rental. As a tenant, you use it to give the required notice before moving out (often one to two months, on a specific form). From a landlord, it's a claim that they want the tenancy to end — but it's not an eviction by itself; only a tribunal order can actually force you out.
Why It Matters for Tenants
Timing and form are everything. Give notice too late or on the wrong form and it may not count, costing you an extra month. Receive a landlord's notice and you need to know whether it's even valid and how to respond.
Risk Level
High risk because a defective notice — wrong date, wrong form, or short notice — can be challenged, and missing a deadline can leave a tenant liable for extra rent or wrongly believing they must leave.
Example Clause
Either party may end a periodic tenancy by giving written notice in the approved form no later than the required number of days before the termination date, which must be the last day of a rental period.
This is a representative example for educational purposes. Actual lease language varies.
Common Mistakes Tenants Make
- Giving notice verbally instead of in writing on the correct form
- Miscounting the notice period or not ending on the last day of a rental period
- Assuming a landlord's notice is an eviction — only a tribunal order can remove you
Provincial and State Variations
Ontario tenants give 60 days on Form N9; BC, Alberta, Manitoba and most provinces require one full month for month-to-month tenancies. Quebec leases auto-renew, with a 3–6 month non-renewal notice. Landlord notice periods and grounds differ by province and reason.