Ending a Rental Agreement in Alberta: Everything You Need to Know

As a tenant in Alberta, there may come a time when you need to end your rental agreement for various reasons. It could be due to a change in your circumstances, such as a new job in a different city or state, or simply dissatisfaction with your current living situation. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to know your rights and obligations when it comes to ending a rental agreement in Alberta.

In this article, we’ll discuss the various ways to end a rental agreement in Alberta, including the steps you need to take and the potential consequences.

1. Giving Notice

The most common way to end a rental agreement in Alberta is by giving notice to your landlord. According to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), tenants must provide written notice to their landlord at least one full rental period (usually one month) before the end of the lease agreement.

For example, if your lease ends on June 30th and you wish to move out on that day, you must give your landlord written notice by May 31st.

2. Breaking the Lease Early

If you need to end your lease before the rental period is up, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord to break the lease early. However, this may result in you having to pay a penalty or forfeiting your security deposit.

Under the RTA, landlords in Alberta have the right to charge a tenant a reasonable amount for breaking a lease early. This amount may include the rent owed for the remainder of the lease term, or a portion thereof, as well as any expenses the landlord may incur as a result of the early termination.

3. Abandonment

If a tenant moves out of a rental property before the end of the lease agreement without giving notice or permission from the landlord, this is considered abandonment under the RTA. In this case, the landlord has the right to assume that the tenant has given up the property and the lease agreement has ended.

Abandonment may also occur if a tenant removes all their belongings from the rental property and stops paying rent without any notice or permission from the landlord.

4. Mutual Agreement

Finally, if you and your landlord both agree to end the rental agreement before the end of the lease term, you must put this agreement in writing and sign it. This is important to ensure that there is no misunderstanding or dispute regarding the terms of the agreement.

It’s important to note that ending a rental agreement in Alberta may have legal and financial consequences. Breaking a lease early or abandoning a property without proper notice could result in an eviction notice, damage to your credit score, or even legal action.

Therefore, it’s recommended that you speak to a legal professional or consult the RTA before making any decisions regarding ending a rental agreement in Alberta.

In Conclusion

Ending a rental agreement in Alberta can be a complicated and delicate process. Tenants must adhere to the RTA and follow proper protocol to avoid any legal or financial consequences.

If you need to end your rental agreement before the end of the lease term, we recommend speaking to your landlord and seeking legal advice on the best course of action. With proper planning and communication, you can successfully end your rental agreement in Alberta without any unnecessary complications.