Need to get out of a lease?
Breaking a lease in Alberta
Alberta sets clear periodic notice, gives a deemed-consent rule for assignment and sublet, and publishes a violence exit (Safer Spaces) and a substantial-breach exit.
How much notice for a periodic tenancy
For a monthly periodic tenancy, a tenant gives one month of notice. For a weekly tenancy, one week. For a yearly periodic tenancy, a tenant gives 60 days of notice before the last day of a tenancy year. Late notice pushes the date out: notice given on June 2 to end June 30 instead ends the tenancy on July 31, the last day of the next complete tenancy month.
Fixed term: can it end early?
A fixed-term tenancy ends on the day specified in the rental agreement, unless both parties agree to an early termination. There is no unilateral tenant exit from a fixed term.
If a tenant ends a fixed term before the termination date, the landlord is entitled to be paid rent from the date the tenant leaves, but the landlord must take reasonable steps to re-rent the unit. This is the sourced liability bound, not advice or a prediction of what you will owe.
Assignment and sublet
A tenant cannot sublease or assign without the landlord's written consent. A landlord may not refuse without reasonable grounds and must give reasons in writing within 14 days of the request. If the landlord does not answer within 14 days, the tenant may treat that as consent. A landlord may not charge a fee for giving consent to a sublease.
The violence exit
Under Safer Spaces, a tenant obtains a Certificate Confirming Grounds to Terminate Tenancy and uses it to give at least 28 days of notice to the landlord. Rent is still owed through the notice period.
If you are in danger, call 911. Support is also available across Canada through your local victim services.
Other published exits
- Substantial-breach exit: where a tenant believes the landlord has committed a substantial breach, the tenant can give at least 14 days of notice to end the tenancy. That notice is void if the landlord objects in writing within 7 days of receiving it.
If it goes wrong: enforcement
A dispute-resolution order (RTDRS) must be filed at the Court of King's Bench to be enforced as a judgment, and does not take effect until it is filed and served. Enforcement itself is carried out through a Civil Enforcement Agency, not by the tribunal or the court. RTDRS orders are valid for 10 years, with some exceptions.
Official sources
This page tells you what the published rules and documents are. It does not predict what a landlord will agree to or how a tribunal will decide. Following the correct route helps avoid owing rent you did not have to, but nothing here guarantees a particular result. For advice on your situation, contact your provincial tribunal or a paralegal or lawyer.
Common Questions
How much notice do I give to end a monthly tenancy in Alberta?
One month. Late notice pushes the end date out: notice given on June 2 to end June 30 instead ends the tenancy on July 31, the last day of the next complete tenancy month.
What if my Alberta landlord does not answer my request to sublet or assign?
A landlord must give written reasons for a refusal within 14 days. If the landlord does not answer within 14 days, you may treat that as consent to the sublease or assignment.
Where to go from here
Guidepost is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page is general information about the process for Alberta. The correct notice, documents, and route depend on your facts; for advice, contact your provincial tribunal or a paralegal or lawyer. Full disclaimer. Last updated: July 2026.