Template Letters
These letters are meant to help you communicate your rights to your landlord, and provide a written copy in case you need to later submit it as evidence. We encourage you to read the applicable section of the guide, and then add your information to the relevant template. It’s always best to serve these on your landlord using one of the approved methods of service.
Disclaimer:These letters are templates, and it’s up to you to determine which letter best suits your situation. We encourage you to read the applicable section of the guide before using these templates. These templates were made by Dalhousie Legal Aid Service, they are not official or government forms. These template letters are not an official Notice to Quit or part of the Residential Tenancies Program. Once they are downloaded, these templates can be edited. Dal Legal Aid is not responsible for any consequences that arise from the use of these letters.
Ending a Lease Early
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This template is for use when you want to leave your unit before the end of your lease, and you are requesting that your landlord agree to a mutual termination.
During this process, a landlord can ask for a “break lease fee”. However, there is no legal obligation for a tenant to agree to this. Read more on Ending a Lease Early.
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This template is for use when you want to leave your unit before the end of your lease or without giving proper notice.
We call this process “unilateral termination” or “lease abandonment”. Read more on Ending a Lease Early.
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This template is for use when you want to leave your unit because the landlord didn’t give you a copy of your lease or the Residential Tenancies Act.
The landlord is supposed to serve you a copy of the lease and RTA within 10 days of signing. If you don’t, you can give 3 months’ notice to quit. Read more on Ending a Lease Early.
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This template is for use when you want to assign your lease to another tenant, or when you want to change the names of the tenants on the lease.
A landlord can’t “unreasonably or arbitrarily” deny a lease reassignment or ban a tenant from reassigning their lease in the lease rules. Read more about reassigning and subletting.
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This template is for use when you want to sublet your portion of the lease for a limited period of time and then return to the unit.
A landlord can’t “unreasonably or arbitrarily” deny a sublet. However, they can ban subletting in the lease rules. Read more about reassigning and subletting.
Repairs & Statutory Conditions
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This template is for use when you have repairs that need to be addressed.
Tenants are required to tell the landlord if they notice a repair issue and give them a chance to fix it. If they don’t respond there are other steps you can take.
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This template is for use when you have bedbugs or other pests.
Tenants are required to tell the landlord if they notice a pest problem and give them a chance to fix the issue. If they don’t respond there are other steps you can take.
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This template is for use if you have received a notice that your unit is unclean or too cluttered and you disagree.
Make sure your unit actually meets the standard for “Ordinary Cleanliness”. If pest control determines they cannot treat your unit or there is otherwise a fire or safety risk, you may be in violation of the Statutory Conditions. Read more about Responsibilities of the Tenant.
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Landlords and tenants are required to act in accordance with the “good behaviour” clause of the RTA. Read more about intimidation and harassment here.
If your landlord or anyone representing the landlord is violating this clause, you can apply to the RTA for remedies. Use this letter to inform your landlord of your right to quiet enjoyment of your unit.
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This template is for use when requesting a copy of your lease from the landlord.
Your landlord is required to give you a copy of the lease and RTA when you move in. If they don’t, you may be able to leave your lease early.
Evictions & All Other Issues
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This template is for use when you want your security deposit returned.
Your landlord is required to return your deposit in full, or file a Form R to claim for all or a portion of your deposit, within 10 days of you moving out. If they do not, you can file a Form S to request the return of your deposit.
This process is very simple. It may be more effective to file with Residential Tenancies directly than to send a demand letter.
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This template is for use when you paid money for a rental unit that you did not sign a lease for or move in to OR if you paid a fee to apply for a unit OR if you paid several months rent in advance and you want that money returned.
Landlords are not allowed to charge application fees, “liquidated damages” for failing to sign a lease, or any amount of money above one half month’s rent. Read more about application fees.
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This template is for use when you have received an illegal eviction notice.
Make sure the notice you received isn’t valid. Read Notices to Quit vs Eviction Orders and then scan our pages on Evictions. Also make sure you have “security of tenure”, read about the different rules for Fixed Term Leases.
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This template is for use when you have received an illegal notice of rent increase.
Make sure the notice you received isn’t valid. Read Rent Increases.
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This template is for use when you have received an illegitimate notice for a family member to move into the unit.
Make sure the notice you received isn’t valid. Read “Family Member Moving In” under All Other Evictions or New Owner Moving In (if you received a Form DR2).
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This template is for use when your landlord is trying to make you comply with an unreasonable rule.
Make sure you know whether or not the rule is unreasonable. A rule can also be unenforceable if you were not served the proper notice.
If the landlord is trying to evict you based on this rule, try challenging the eviction to stay in the unit.
Resource Suggestions*
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* We will not answer questions asked through this form. If you have a question about your rental, please attend a Social Justice Clinic.