Your One-Year Lease Is Ending: Do You Have to Move Out?

Under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, when a fixed-term lease (such as one year) ends, the tenancy automatically continues month to month on the same terms, unless it is ended properly.

For tenants

• You can stay, month to month, with the same rights.
• To leave, give at least 60 days' written notice (form N9), ending on the last day of a rental period. Notice to end on the last day of the fixed term counts too.
• You don't have to sign a new one-year lease.

For landlords

• The end of the lease is not a reason to evict.
• A landlord can end a tenancy only for reasons in the RTA, such as non-payment, the landlord's own use, or major renovations, with the right notice and usually an LTB order.
• Rent increases follow the usual rules: 90 days' written notice and, for most units, the guideline.

Agreeing to end the tenancy

Tenant and landlord can agree to end the tenancy (form N11). Never sign one if you don't want to move.

Sources

• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
• Ontario: guide to the standard lease

Read next: Living in a Care Home or Retirement Residence: Your Tenancy Rights

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 16 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

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This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.