Leases are a binding contract between a tenant and a landlord and breaking a lease is a breach of this contract. Despite this breach, you may find yourself with a valid reason for needing to break your lease – such as moving to another city.

If you are in this situation, we want to help you try to avoid – or at least minimize- penalties from your landlord. The best way for you to do this is to:

  • Familiarize yourself with your province’s necessary legal requirements to terminate a lease.
  • Know whether you have a “Fixed” or “Periodic” term lease. A Fixed Term is a lease with a specified end, while a Periodic Term is a lease that runs month-to-month, week-to-week or other pre-determined time.
  • Be sure to provide your landlord with as much notice as possible.
  • Wherever permissible offer to help finding a replacement tenant.

Each province has different regulations pertaining to leases or tenant agreements, and how to cancel a lease.

Saskatchewan

  • Term leases expire at the end of the term.
  • A written notice to terminate the lease must detail the landlord’s name, address of the rental, be signed by the tenant, state the move date and be delivered in person or by mail.
  • By agreement, you and your landlord may end your lease when you want.
  • To discontinue a periodic tenancy, you must give a written notice of termination based on the rental period (i.e., monthly or weekly).
  • Once you move, the landlord has seven business days to obtain your written consent to keep/access the security deposit and interest, or provide you with a notice to claim against the security deposit.
  • Sublets are permitted with the written consent of the landlord.

For additional details, you can also refer to Saskatchewan’s rental board website.

Office of Residential Tenancies
120 – 2151 Scarth Street
Regina, SK
S4P 2H8
Toll-free: 1-888-215-2222 (within Saskatchewan)
Toll-free fax: 1-888-867-7776 (within Saskatchewan)
Tel.: 306-787-2699
Fax: 306-787-5574
www.justice.gov.sk.ca/ORT
See Web site for contact information for all offices.

Also check out our article How to cancel my lease that deals with detailed steps to follow.