A partnership led by CLEO
Landlords can evict tenants to do work on a rental unit that can’t be done while people are living there. To do this, your landlord should give you a Form N13 from the Landlord and Tenant Board.
You have the right to move back into your unit when the work is done. This is called the “right of first refusal”. But before you move out, you must tell your landlord in writing that you want to move back in.
This tool asks you a series of questions and creates a letter you can send to your landlord to tell them this.
Make sure to follow the steps in this checklist about what you must do before and after you move out.
To use this tool, you need:
Note: CLEO does not store your personal information.
You can use this tool if:
You can’t use this tool if you live in:
Read more in Can my landlord make me move out for repairs or renovations?
Fields marked with an asterisk * must be filled in.
When counting the number of residential units, include units that are not being rented. For example, if your landlord lives in the building, their living space counts as one unit. Don’t count business or commercial spaces, like a store or office.
Usually, anyone named on your lease or rental agreement is a tenant. It’s likely that anyone else you live with is an occupant, not a tenant. For example, this might be a new partner or adult child who moved in after you signed the lease.
Children under 16 are never tenants. It’s more complicated for children who are 16 or 17 and not living with their parents or guardians.
CLEO's tool Sharing Rental Housing? may help you figure out who to list. And the Landlord and Tenant Board has a guide that explains who might be a tenant.
If you’re still not sure, get legal advice before you start.
You must enter the names of all of the tenants who want to move back into the unit. Enter your name first, and then if there are more names, you'll enter them as tenant 2, 3, 4, and 5.
If there are more than 5 names, you'll have to add the extra ones to the letter before sending it.
You don’t have to include this information in your letter. But you need to give it to your landlord before you move out.
You can include the address you're moving to, if you know it.
Or, you can give an address where you can get your mail, for example, the address of:
You can add your signature now or when you get the email with your letter. If you do it now, you won't have to print off and sign your letter and then scan it before sending.
You can sign with your mouse if you're using a computer. You can sign with your finger if you’re using a touch screen device like a phone or tablet.
If you want to re-do your signature, click on the X in the top-right corner of the box.
If there are more tenants from your unit that need to sign, see the fields below.
It’s best to give the name of the person or business listed as your landlord on the Form N13. If you’re not sure about including that name, use the name of the person you pay your rent to. Or, use the person or business listed as the landlord on your lease or rental agreement.
If you’re still not sure, get legal advice about what name to include.
To review the information you entered, click "Previous" at the bottom of the page.
Before clicking "Submit" to get your email, read what's below.
You must sign the letter before sending it to your landlord.
To send by email:
Send the letter by email only if your landlord has told you in writing that it’s okay to send things this way.
To send by mail or give to your landlord in person:
Make sure to keep a copy for yourself.
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