Notice to Vacate — Landlord to Tenant
A formal notice from a landlord to a tenant to vacate the rental property, citing the reason and complying with provincial requirements.
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A notice to vacate from landlord to tenant is a formal written notice requiring a tenant to leave the rental property on or before a specified date. The grounds on which a landlord may require a tenant to vacate, and the required notice periods, are strictly governed by provincial residential tenancy legislation.
Permitted grounds
Depending on the province, a landlord may require a tenant to vacate for reasons such as: non-payment of rent; substantial breach of the lease; the landlord's own use of the property; extensive renovations requiring vacant possession; or demolition of the building. Most provinces prohibit eviction without cause.
Proper process
A notice to vacate is only the first step. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord must apply to the provincial residential tenancy authority or landlord-tenant board for an order of possession. Self-help evictions — changing the locks, removing belongings, or harassing a tenant — are illegal in every Canadian province and may result in significant damages.