Spring is around the corner — Do you need to give notice to your landlord?

There are two main renting issues that students face when approaching Spring Break. Am I leaving and not returning next year, or am I leaving for the summer and coming back in the fall?

I'm leaving for good

If you are permanently moving out, there are a couple of thing to know before you leave. If you are covered under the Residential Tenancies (RTA), a tenancy of this type can only be brought to a close by giving your landlord written notice of your intent to leave. This notice must indicate the address in question, who the landlord is, the date that residence is to be terminated, and your signature. The amount of notice required depends on what kind of lease you have:

a) Fixed term tenancy (e.g. 12 or eight month) or a monthly tenancy (paying rent monthly)

These leases require at least 60 days written notice. Specify in the notice that it will be effective on the final day of the last month of tenancy. For example, give written notice before February 28 for a lease to end on April 30. You can't give notice in the middle of a lease to leave before the lease is finished.

b) Weekly tenancy (paying rent weekly)

These leases require at least 28 days written notice. Specify in the notice that it will be effective on the final day of the last week of tenancy.

What happens if I don't give proper notice?

You'll be responsible for paying the rent for the entire next rental period, depending on when your “intent to leave” letter is actually filed. If you wait until the day your 12-month tenancy expires, you are responsible for 60 days further rent.

What happens if I don't want to leave at the end of my lease?

If you stay at your place past your lease, under the RTA, you do not have to sign a new lease and you can go month-to-month indefinitely. You keep paying your rent, and you give the 60 days written notice when you intend to leave. If you gave a deposit, it's for the last month you actually live in the place, not for the last month on the lease.

NOTE: If you share a bathroom or a kitchen with the owner or the owner's immediate family, or if you are a tenant of a tenant, then the information above doesn't apply to you.

I'm coming back in the fall

If you're leaving for the summer, but you plan to come back, you may want to save money by subletting your room for the summer. If you're covered under the RTA in your lease, you can sublet. The landlord may have to approve your sublettor, and you are responsible for that person. It's difficult to find someone to sublet to, because it's competitive. You can expect to sublet for about half of what you pay for your usual monthly rent. You continue to pay your landlord your regular amount, and your sublettor pays you. You cannot charge your sublettor more than you pay as rent. Also, be sure to fill out a subletting agreement, which is available outside the Counselling and Student Life Office (Room F2010).

Here are some tips to protect yourself and your sublettor:

- Get everything you agree to in writing, to avoid problems at a later date.

- Make a list of any articles left on the premises.

- Know how to reach the sublettor (home address) in case there is a problem.

- Don't leave the phone in your name. Your sublettor or their guests may run up the charges.

- Choose your sublettor carefully since you will be responsible if they damage the premises, or if they run up utility bills.

If you'd like help preparing the agreement, see the Housing Mediation Officer in Room F2010.

The Housing Mediation Service, in the Student Success Centre (F2010), provides information to help students, landlords and neighbours with issues around living in the London community.

Important Dates

- “Intra-term Days” (March Break, Reading Week, Winter Break…)? February 26 — March 2

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This column is a Student Success Initiative sponsored by Counselling and Student Life Services, Financial Aid and the Office of the Registrar.