What reasons can a landlord evict you for?

For a monthly tenancy, yes in every province covered here except Newfoundland and Labrador, and the reason has to be written on the notice. In Newfoundland and Labrador a landlord can end a monthly tenancy with no reason by giving notice at least 3 months before the end of a rental period. A fixed-term lease is different: in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia it ends on its end date without a reason, the New Brunswick government says it ends automatically, and in Newfoundland and Labrador the landlord gives 3 months' notice before the term ends and needs no reason, while in BC, Ontario and PEI it carries on month to month unless the landlord has a reason the law allows. Manitoba requires the landlord to offer a renewal.

When you have done something the law treats as a reason (unpaid rent, serious disturbance, damage, a safety risk, illegal activity or breaking an important term), or when a no-fault reason applies, such as the landlord or a buyer moving in, demolition or a major renovation. The termination date has to respect the notice period for that reason, and in most provinces a no-fault notice cannot end a fixed-term lease before its end date. If you do not leave, the tenancy only ends for good with an order from the tenancy office or court.

In one of three ways. The landlord can serve a written notice for a legal reason, on the province's form where one exists, and apply for an order if you stay. You and the landlord can agree in writing to end it on a set date (form RTB-8 in BC, N11 in Ontario); in Ontario a landlord cannot require you to sign one. Or, in Nova Scotia and for some reasons elsewhere, the landlord applies straight to the tenancy office for an order. Locking you out or removing your belongings is never one of the options.

Yes, but only for a reason the Residential Tenancy Act allows. For no-fault reasons that means 3 months' notice when the landlord, close family or a buyer will move in, 4 months for demolition or conversion, or an RTB order for a renovation. For cause it is a One Month Notice (RTB-33), and for unpaid rent a 10 Day Notice. A BC landlord cannot end a month-to-month tenancy just because they want a new tenant.

It depends on the province and the reason. For a landlord's no-fault reason it ranges from about one month (a sale in Saskatchewan, or a monthly tenancy in New Brunswick) to 6 months (for example demolition in PEI), and 365 days for a major renovation in Alberta. For the tenant's fault it is usually shorter, from immediate or 24 hours in the most serious cases to about one month for most cause notices. If you are the tenant giving notice, see how many days notice to give your landlord.

Not during a fixed term. A landlord generally needs a reason the law allows to end a fixed-term lease early, and no-fault notices in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and PEI cannot take effect before the term ends. Once you are month to month, a reason is needed everywhere except Newfoundland and Labrador. At the end of a fixed term, some provinces let the fixed term simply end (Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador with 3 months' notice before the term ends), while BC, Ontario and PEI roll the lease over to month to month. See can a landlord refuse to renew a lease.

A notice that ends a fixed term early without a legal reason, or that gives too little notice, can be disputed and is often not valid. You do not have to move out because of a notice alone; the landlord would still need an order. If you leave because of a no-fault notice and the landlord does not use the unit for the stated reason, you may be able to claim compensation. Most provinces covered here, including Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and PEI, have a route for this through the tenancy office or court.

Check three things on the notice: the reason, the termination date and the form. Then note the deadline to dispute it, which can be short: in BC it is 5, 10, 21 or 30 days depending on the notice, in Saskatchewan 15 days, and in PEI 10 days for cause or one month for a no-fault notice. Keep paying rent, keep copies of everything, and call your province's tenancy office if you are unsure. See how to fight an eviction.

Usually only when the buyer, or in some provinces the buyer's family, will move in. The notice is 3 tenancy months in Alberta (where the buyer of a house, semi-detached home or condo unit can also ask in writing without moving in), 3 months in BC, 1 or 3 months in Manitoba depending on the vacancy rate, 1 month in Saskatchewan, 60 days in Ontario (3 or fewer units), 2 months in Nova Scotia (4 or fewer units, Form DR2) and 2 months in PEI when the buyer moves in personally (fewer than 3 units or a condo). New Brunswick does not list a sale as a reason, and in Newfoundland and Labrador the usual 3-month notice applies. See what to do if your landlord is selling the house.

It is the date a fixed-term lease is set to finish. What happens then depends on the province. In Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia the lease ends on that date, though a new periodic tenancy can start if you stay on and the landlord accepts rent (in Nova Scotia, consents). In BC, Ontario and PEI it rolls over to month to month unless there is a legal reason to end it, and Manitoba requires the landlord to offer a renewal 3 months before. In Saskatchewan the landlord must serve a written notice of intentions at least 2 months before the end date, and in Newfoundland and Labrador the landlord must give notice at least 3 months before or the tenancy carries on.

Not at will. In Alberta a landlord cannot end a fixed term early except by agreement or for a substantial breach. Unpaid rent takes at least 14 days' notice, and the notice is cancelled if you pay all the rent owing on or before the termination date. Other substantial breaches, such as disturbing others, also take at least 14 days' notice, and you can object in writing, after which the landlord needs an order. Assault, a threat of assault or significant damage can bring 24 hours' written notice, and if you have not left, the landlord must apply to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service or the court within 10 days after the termination date, or the notice is ineffective. In British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and PEI a no-fault notice cannot take effect before a fixed term ends.

The tenancy laws we reviewed do not use "nuisance" as one general ground. They use wording such as unreasonable or significant disturbance, and the notice depends on the province. In British Columbia it is a One Month Notice (RTB-33) with 10 days to dispute, in Saskatchewan at least one month with 15 days to dispute, and in Ontario a first N5 gives 20 days (void if fixed within 7 days).

A notice is not an eviction order, and the tenancy ends for good only with an order from the tenancy office or court. For noise specifically, see whether a tenant can be evicted over noise complaints.

Arson is a crime, and criminal charges are a separate process from the tenancy. We found no tenancy rule that names arson. SQRFT's reading, not a rule the research names: a deliberately set fire would likely fall under the serious-conduct reasons that allow short notice. Ontario's N7 covers wilful damage or seriously impairing safety (10 days), Manitoba allows notice as soon as 5 days after it is given for a significant health or safety risk, and Alberta allows 24 hours' written notice for significant damage. A tenant who stays can only be removed with an order. For who pays for a fire, see what happens if a tenant burns the house down.