1.Send cancellation notice
First, we will notify the owner of the cancellation in writing. Notice of cancellation must be given at least 60 days in advance, and the last day of cancellation is the last day of the monthly cycle of your rental agreement. For example, if the contract starts on the 1st, the last day of the month will be the last day of the month, and if the contract starts on the 15th, the last day will be the 14th. The most formal method is to send a cancellation notice called N9 to the owner by email, but I think it would be valid even if it was just an email or text, if the owner’s signature of consent was obtained. When terminating a fixed-term rental contract on the expiration date or canceling a monthly contract, an N9 notice of cancellation is required, and only a unilateral notice from the tenant is required. When canceling a fixed-term rental contract midway through, or midway through a monthly cycle, a cancellation notice called N11 is used. N11 requires signatures from both tenant and owner. If you move out before the final day, there are very few cases where the owner will refund the rent for the period, such as one or two weeks, between the cancellation date and the move-out date. If you wish to cancel the contract in the middle of the monthly cycle and pay the rent daily for the final month, please inform the owner of your wish as early as possible, at least 60 days in advance, and obtain their consent, and both parties should sign N11. I think it’s a good idea to do so. Also, if you need to cancel early but there is no provision in the contract, try to negotiate with the owner as soon as possible, such as whether 2 months of 60 days’ notice + 1 to 2 months of penalty is sufficient.
- Confirm about preview before cancellation
If a notice of cancellation is given, there is a rule in Ontario that the tenant must cooperate with the viewing within 60 days before moving out. Normally, you will receive a notification from the owner agent’s real estate company about the viewing request 24 hours in advance, and you will receive a response to confirm whether it is OK or not. If you do not want the person to come to view the property on the specified date and time due to circumstances such as working from home or moving, you can refuse (you cannot refuse every time). If the owner/agent does not honor your notice of more than 24 hours in advance, or if you are being bothered by repeated sudden notices, make sure to complain to the owner/agent. If the owner agent does not make improvements, it is more effective to complain directly to the owner. After notifying the owner of the cancellation, the owner’s agent will oversee future viewings and will contact you. According to the rules, viewings are allowed from 8:00 to 20:00 every day, but it’s a good idea to tell the owner agent in advance and decide if it’s OK to view from 8:00 to 20:00 every day, what day of the week every week, or only on this day. Probably. Let us know how you would like to be notified of the preview, such as by text message, phone call, or email. Normally, for viewing, a small box containing a key called a lock box is placed in your room or building, or you leave the key with a concierge. The agent who wishes to view the property will use the key to enter the room, so there is no need for the tenant to be present during the viewing, but please be careful of valuables on the day of the viewing. In addition, before making a rental offer on MLS, etc., there are many cases where an owner agent visits the room to check for any defects and to take photos for the purpose of the offer.
3.Inspection and key return upon moving out
Once you have decided on the day you will return the keys to the owner (move-out date), such as on or before the last day of the contract, contact the owner as soon as possible to confirm the date and time. When you move out, we will inspect your room and return your keys. During the inspection, the owner mainly checks that there is no noticeable dirt or damage in the room, and that the home appliances are in usable condition. If there is any damage or malfunction, your key deposit will be deducted, and you may also be asked to cover any shortfall in repair costs. If the damage is clearly the tenant’s fault, we recommend that you have the owner come over one to two weeks in advance to check and discuss the situation with you. Basically, when you move out, the property will be restored to its original condition. If the room is unfurnished, all furniture must be disposed of. If you want to leave your furniture behind, please check with the owner in advance. Also, if the contract states that the property will be professionally cleaned when you move out, you will need to have the property professionally cleaned after moving out before returning the keys.
If it is difficult to arrange cleaning, please consult with the owner, as in many cases the key deposit will be deducted or set off. Unless the contract specifically mentions professional cleaning, the rule in Ontario is to leave the property “Bloom Swept.’ The key deposit will be fully refunded if there is no problem with the room and all keys are returned without being lost. Key deposits can be refunded in a variety of ways including check, e-transfer, and cash. If you have already canceled your bank account and are concerned about getting your money back via check or e-transfer, let the owner know in advance that you would like your money back in cash.
4.Moving arrangements and elevator reservations
In the case of a condominium, you will need to make a reservation to use the elevator once you have decided on your move-in date. The date and time of your move may not always match the date and time you can reserve an elevator. It is often crowded during the summer peak season and on Saturdays, so we recommend checking in advance and making elevator reservations.
When using the elevator, you will be asked to pay a deposit and a usage fee, but please be aware that even if a personal check is fine when you move in, you will often be asked to send a bank draft when you move out.
If you are moving, you will need to make elevator reservations for both your current home and your new home, so be sure to check the moving date early and decide.
5.Cancellation/change of tenant insurance
Contact the company you purchased your insurance with or your insurance broker to inform them of your move-out date and cancel your tenant insurance. To prevent tenant insurance from being automatically renewed, let us know as soon as you decide to cancel. In addition, if you cancel your policy mid-term, you will receive a refund of your premium for the remaining term. In the case of a refund, the insurance premium for the remaining period will usually be refunded after a handling fee has been deducted. Please note that if you wish to receive a refund by check, you will need to complete the procedure before closing your bank account immediately before returning to your home country. If you are moving, you will need to plan for both canceling insurance for your current home and purchasing insurance for your new home. There will be overlapping periods between the two insurance policies, so please check with your insurance broker about the handling of overlapping periods.
6.Cancellation/Change of Utility Bills and Internet Contracts
You can cancel your utility bill account online or by phone, with the final day of cancellation or move-out date. If you are using Pre-Authorized Payment but are canceling your bank account, tell them that you do not want your final bill to be automatically debited. Once you receive your final bill via email or MY Account, pay by phone or on the site using your credit card. We recommend that you contact us as soon as you have decided on your move-out date, as the procedure for paying utility bills takes time. If you are relocating, we will arrange for you to change your address if the utility companies for the two residences are the same, and if they are different, we will arrange for both the cancellation of the utility bill for your current residence and the insurance coverage for your new residence. is required. As stipulated in the original contract, the cancellation date for utility bills (and tenant insurance) is basically the last day of the contract. If there is a difference, we recommend that you check with the owner in advance to see if it is okay to cancel your utility bills (and tenant insurance) on the date you move out and obtain their consent before proceeding. In that case, when you return the keys and move out, it would be a good idea to get a note from the owner stating, “From now on, the tenant will not be responsible for paying utility bills or for any damage to the room.’