Options for a tenant to end tenancy

Tenants have a number of ways they can end a tenancy lawfully. Learn the different ways a tenancy can end and the landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities in the process.

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On this page

• Tenants ending a tenancy
• Ending a tenancy in a strata
• After a tenancy ends
• Resources
• I need help

Tenants ending a tenancy

A tenant must give a landlord written notice to end their tenancy as required by Residential Tenancy Act: Section 45. Both parties should keep a copy.

Tenants can write their own notice letter, which must include:

• Tenant’s name
• Date of letter
• Address of the rental unit
• Date the tenant plans to leave
• Tenant’s signature

If a tenant doesn’t serve proper notice or leaves a tenancy early, the landlord can apply for dispute resolution and the tenant may have to pay compensation.

For a month-to-month or periodic tenancy agreement

A tenant must serve written notice to end the tenancy and make sure it’s received:

• At least one month before the effective date of the notice
• Before the day rent is due
• It is important to note that this is not simply 30 days' notice but truly a complete rental month

For a fixed-term tenancy (or lease) agreement

A fixed-term agreement is set for a specific period of time (a year, a month or a week). At the end of the period, the landlord and tenant can agree to another fixed term or continue the tenancy on a month-to-month basis. If the tenant wants to move out when the fixed term ends, the tenant must serve written notice to end the tenancy so it’s received:

• At least one month before the effective date of the notice
• Before the day rent is due

• Both parties agree in writing using a Mutual Agreement to End Tenancy (PDF, 1.6MB)
• There are special circumstances, such as if the tenant is fleeing from family or household violence or has been assessed for long-term care
• Ordered by an arbitrator
• The tenant breaks the lease, which may leave the tenant owing money to the landlord

A tenant may ask the landlord for written permission to sublet or assign the tenancy to someone else.

Ending a tenancy in a strata

Tenancy rules in strata housing can be different than typical housing in B.C. For example, the owner, landlords, tenants and visitors must follow the bylaws and rules set by the strata. 

A tenant in strata housing can end a tenancy without penalty. A strata corporation (managed by an elected strata council) can take the place of a landlord and end a tenancy if a tenant:

• Repeatedly breaks strata bylaws or rules
• Seriously interferes with another person’s use or enjoyment of the strata lot, the common property, or the common assets
• The tenant's landlord is unable or unwilling to deal with the problem

Learn more about strata bylaws and rules.

After a tenancy ends

Make sure to consider all legal rights and responsibilities when a tenant moves out.

• Learn about moving out of rental units

The tenant should give the landlord their new mailing address, in writing, where their damage deposit can be sent following the move-out condition inspection.

• Learn about returning deposits and post-dated cheques

Resources

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