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When it comes to leasing or renting a property in Canada, rental unit rules and laws can change per province or territory; you may have heard that Ontario residential lease agreement rules differ from those of British Columbia or Saskatchewan. In the same way, Manitoba has its fixed-term tenancy agreement guidelines that both the landlord and tenant must adhere to when ending a lease agreement. But before we get to that, let's first understand how rental agreements work.
A tenancy, rental, or lease agreement is a contractual agreement between a tenant (the renter) and landlord (the property owner) that outlines the lease details. This agreement also outlines both the landlord’s and tenant’s rights and responsibilities. Usually, fixed-term lease agreements run for the entire year. Some common aspects of a lease agreement include the lease term, rental payment period, security deposit, and house rules.
When the landlord and tenant sign a fixed-term lease agreement, it becomes an official and legally binding contract. From then on, the renter will pay rent in exchange for using the landlord's property for the entire lease term.
If a fixed-term lease is signed between a tenant and landlord, the landlord must offer the tenant the option to renew it at least three months before the agreement ends. Landlords are legally bound to provide this option to renters in Manitoba.
If the tenant would like to renew the agreement, the best course of action is for them to sign the new agreement and share it with the landlord at least two months before the original fixed-term lease agreement ends.
Before the tenant signs the new contract and returns it to the landlord, it is courteous to respond to the landlord by communicating that they would like to renew their lease in good time. This maintains a good relationship with the landlord before the new tenancy begins and helps both the landlord and tenant plan the following year ahead of time.
A lease agreement ends when it reaches the end of the lease term—in other words—when it expires.
Guidelines for giving notice to your landlord can differ depending on your location in Canada.
For instance, in Manitoba, if a tenant chooses not to renew when the fixed-term lease ends, they do not need to provide notice to the landlord nor will they need to sign a new agreement or provide any further information to the landlord.
Rules for giving notice when not renewing a lease differ in other provinces, such as Ontario. For example, in Ontario, the tenant must still provide the required 60-day notice to the landlord, even if they are moving out only at the end of their lease. This is why it is crucial to understand the rules for giving notice in your particular province or territory.
If you have signed a lease agreement in Manitoba, this guide is here to help you navigate the waters on how to renew or give notice to your landlord. As you can see, there are many rules and regulations when giving notice to end a fixed-term lease in Manitoba. Each lease agreement differs slightly due to landlords having their agreements personalized to their and the tenant’s needs.
So if you still have questions, contact a professional property management team, who will ensure your actions are sound and proper. Contact a professional property development company like Globe Property Management for more information on how to respectfully and legally provide the required notice.