What to do if your landlord is selling the house?

A sale does not end an Alberta tenancy by itself. For a month-to-month or other periodic tenancy, the landlord can give 3 tenancy months' written notice when the buyer or the buyer's relative will move in, or when a detached house, semi-detached house or condo unit is sold and the buyer asks in writing for the tenancy to end (the buyer does not have to move in). The notice has to be served on or before the first day of the three-month period, and it must be signed and state the reason and the end date. A fixed-term lease cannot be ended early for a sale; it runs to its end date.

No compensation is set for a sale notice, but if you move out and the home is not used for the stated reason, that is an offence and you can seek compensation through the RTDRS or the court. Buyers can view the home with 24 hours' written notice for each visit, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and not on a Sunday or holiday unless you agree, and you do not have to be home.

In British Columbia, a sale can end a tenancy only when the buyer wants the unit for their own use. The landlord must serve a Three Month Notice for Purchaser's Use (RTB-32P), created through the Residential Tenancy Branch web portal, and you have 21 days to dispute it. On a fixed-term lease, the notice cannot take effect before the end of the term.

You are entitled to one month's rent, which you can take by not paying your last month's rent. If the unit is not used for the stated purpose, you can claim 12 times the monthly rent, with some exceptions. On a month-to-month tenancy, once you have the notice you can move out sooner by giving 10 days' written notice. Showings need 24 hours' written notice each time, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In Manitoba, a sale ends a tenancy only when a buyer who intends to live in the unit asks the landlord to give notice. For a month-to-month tenancy, the notice is 1 month when the vacancy rate is 3% or higher and 3 months when it is under 3%. For a fixed-term lease it is 3 months and cannot take effect before the end of the term. If the notice is given between September 1 and June 30 to a tenant whose child attends a nearby school, the tenant does not have to leave until the school year ends.

The landlord must pay your reasonable moving costs, up to $500. Buyers can view the unit with written notice given 24 hours to 2 weeks ahead.

In Saskatchewan, a sale ends a tenancy only when the buyer asks for the notice and the buyer or the buyer's family will live in the unit. The notice is at least one month, and you can dispute it in writing within 15 days. Once you have it, you can leave earlier by giving 10 days' notice.

If the unit is not used for the stated purpose for at least 6 months, you can apply for compensation for your losses, and a landlord who gives a false reason can be fined. Showings to a buyer need 24 hours' notice or your consent, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and not on a Sunday or your day of religious worship. On a fixed-term lease, ask the Office of Residential Tenancies before agreeing to leave early.

In Ontario, a sale ends a tenancy only if the buyer wants the unit for their own use and the building has 3 or fewer units. The landlord serves an N12 giving at least 60 days, ending on the last day of a rental period or of the fixed term. You do not have to move out by that date: if you stay, the landlord has to apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board, and only the Sheriff can enforce an eviction order. A landlord cannot make you sign an N11 agreement to leave.

The September 21, 2026 rule that lets a landlord skip compensation by giving 120 days' notice does not apply to a buyer's N12, so the usual compensation rules still apply; the LTB can confirm the amount. The buyer must normally move in within 60 days of the date in the N12, or bad faith is presumed, and a tenant evicted in bad faith can claim up to 12 months' rent, the rent difference for a year and moving costs. Showings need 24 hours' written notice, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

In New Brunswick, selling the property is not a reason to end a tenancy, so the sale leaves your tenancy in place. Once it closes, the new owner can end it only for a listed reason, such as the owner, their spouse, child or parent, or a parent of their spouse, moving in for at least 3 months in good faith. That notice is at least 1 month before the end of a month for a month-to-month tenancy, or 3 months if you have lived there 5 years or more, and you can ask for a review within 15 days.

If the unit is not used for the stated reason within 2 months, you can apply for compensation within 2 years. Buyers can view the unit with 24 hours' written notice, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and not on a Sunday or holiday, and you do not have to be home.

Nova Scotia has no general no-fault notice. A sale ends a tenancy only in a property with 4 or fewer units where the buyer or the buyer's family will live there. The landlord gives notice on form DR2, with an affidavit, once the conditions of the sale are met, and it takes effect no earlier than 2 months after you receive it. You can leave sooner by giving at least 10 days' notice. Ending a tenancy for the owner's own use otherwise needs an order from the Director of Residential Tenancies.

No payment to the tenant is listed for a sale notice; ask Residential Tenancies if you are unsure. A buyer's agent must be let in with at least 24 hours' notice, given no more than 30 days ahead, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., but an open house needs your consent.

In PEI, a sale ends a tenancy only if the building has fewer than 3 units or is a condo unit, there is a signed agreement of purchase and sale, and the buyer or a close family member intends to live there, backed by a sworn affidavit. The notice is at least 2 months if the buyer moves in, and 4 months for the buyer's spouse, child, parent, dependant or caregiver. You have one month to dispute it, and on a fixed-term lease it can end the tenancy no earlier than the end of the term.

The landlord must pay you one month's rent plus reasonable moving expenses, or offer another unit you accept. A buyer can view the unit with 24 hours' written notice, and the Rental Office says entries must be between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Newfoundland and Labrador has no sale reason, and a sale does not let the new owner give shorter notice: the new landlord takes on your existing agreement. What NL does allow is an ending without a reason, with 3 months' notice before the end of a rental period for a month-to-month tenancy, 4 weeks for a weekly tenancy, or 3 months before the end of a fixed term. A seller or a new owner can use that notice, and no compensation is set for it.

Before any termination notice is given, showings to buyers need 24 hours' written notice. After a notice has been given, the landlord can show the unit at a reasonable time after making a reasonable effort to give you at least 4 hours' notice.