How do I give notice to end my fixed-term lease?

In most situations when you want to end your tenancy and move out, you have to tell your landlord in writing. This is called giving notice. If you don't give proper notice, you could end up owing more rent.

For your notice to be legal, you must:

• choose the right date to end your tenancy, which is called the termination date
• include all the necessary information in writing
• give the notice to your landlord on time

Ending a fixed-term tenancy

You have a fixed-term tenancy if you have an agreement to live in a place for at least a certain length of time. The agreement is often called a lease, and the length of time is called the term. The most common term is one year, but it can be shorter or longer.

Fixed-term tenancies are usually in writing but they do not have to be.

If you have a fixed-term tenancy, you must give your landlord at least 60 days' notice, and your termination date must be the last day of the term.

Exceptions

You can leave before the end of the term and with less notice if:

• your landlord agrees to end your tenancy early
• you live in a retirement home or care home
• your landlord won’t give you permission to assign your place to a new tenant
• your landlord gave you a notice to move out for certain reasons
• your landlord did not give you the standard form lease
• you or a child living with you has experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse