Moving is stressful enough without forgetting something important. Miss a deadline to notify your landlord and you could owe an extra month's rent. Forget to update your driver's licence and you're looking at an $85 fine. Leave your old place without documenting its condition and you might lose your deposit.
Ontario has specific rules renters need to follow when moving. You must give 60 days written notice - not 30 days like some other provinces. You have just 6 days to update your driver's licence after moving. And certain forms are legally required to end your tenancy properly.
This checklist covers everything Ontario renters need from 8 weeks before your move through your first week in your new place. Follow it step by step and nothing falls through the cracks.
Quick Answer: Moving in Ontario requires at least 60 days written notice to your landlord using Form N9. You must update your driver's licence within 6 days and health card within 30 days of moving. Key tasks include setting up utilities, getting tenant insurance, forwarding mail, and doing a thorough move-in inspection with photos. This checklist covers everything renters need before, during, and after their move.
The countdown starts now. Eight weeks out is when you need to give your landlord official notice—Ontario requires 60 days, and the timing has to be exact.
Give your landlord written notice using Form N9. This is the official Tenant's Notice to End the Tenancy form required in Ontario. You can download it free from the Landlord and Tenant Board website. Fill it out completely, keep a copy for yourself, and deliver it to your landlord.
Get your termination date right. Your termination date must be the last day of a rental period. If you pay rent on the first of each month, your termination date must be the last day of a month. Want to move out September 30? You need to give notice by August 1 at the latest. Give notice on August 2 and you're stuck until October 31.
Review your current lease. Check for any specific move-out requirements. Some leases require professional carpet cleaning or specify how to handle minor repairs. Knowing this now gives you time to plan.
Start researching moving options. Get quotes from at least three moving companies, or price out truck rentals if you're doing it yourself. Weekend and end-of-month dates book up fast—the earlier you reserve, the better your options.
Create a moving budget. Factor in moving company or truck rental costs, packing supplies, new apartment deposits, first and last month's rent at your new place, utility setup fees, and any cleaning costs. Having a clear budget prevents surprises.
With notice given, it's time to prepare both your new place and your current one.
Sign your new lease. Review it carefully before signing. Make sure move-in date, rent amount, and any included utilities match what you agreed on. If you need help understanding the standard Ontario lease, check out our rental application guide.
Confirm your move-in date. Coordinate with your new landlord to confirm exactly when you can access the unit. Ideally, you want a day or two of overlap between your old and new places to avoid rushing.
Get tenant insurance. Many Ontario landlords require proof of tenant insurance before you move in. Even if yours doesn't, get it anyway. Your landlord's insurance does not cover your belongings—if there's a fire or flood, you're on your own without tenant coverage. Policies typically cost $15-$40 per month.
Request time off work. Moving day is exhausting. If possible, take the day off plus one additional day to unpack and settle in.
Declutter ruthlessly. Moving is the perfect excuse to get rid of things you don't need. Donate, sell, or dispose of items you haven't used in the past year. Less stuff means lower moving costs and less to unpack.
Collect packing supplies. Start gathering boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Check local Facebook groups, Kijiji, or liquor stores for free boxes. Buy more tape than you think you need—you'll use it.
Begin packing non-essentials. Start with items you won't need before the move: seasonal clothing, decorations, books, rarely-used kitchen items. Label every box with its contents and destination room.
Create an inventory of valuables. Document expensive items with photos and receipts for insurance purposes. This protects you if anything gets lost or damaged during the move.
Now it's time to handle utilities, services, and address changes. Do this early—some services need lead time to schedule installation or transfers.
Electricity. Contact your local provider (Toronto Hydro, Hydro One, Alectra, etc.) to set up service at your new address starting on your move-in date. Cancel or transfer service at your old address for the day after you leave.
Gas. If your new place uses natural gas, contact Enbridge to open an account. Have your new address and move-in date ready.
Water. Check whether water is included in your rent. If not, contact your municipality to set up an account.
Internet. This is the one to book early. Installation appointments fill up quickly, especially at month-end when everyone else is moving too. Compare providers, pick your plan, and book installation as close to your move-in date as possible.
Cancel services at your old address. Schedule disconnection for the day after you move out. Take final meter readings and photos on your last day.
Set up mail forwarding. Canada Post offers mail forwarding for 4 or 12 months. Set this up at least a week before your move to ensure nothing gets lost. You can do it online at canadapost.ca.
Notify financial institutions. Update your address with your bank, credit cards, and any investment accounts. This ensures statements and important notices reach you.
Update employer records. Tell your HR department or payroll so tax documents go to the right place.
Update subscriptions. Go through your subscriptions—streaming services, magazines, online shopping accounts—and update delivery addresses.
The final stretch. This week is about finishing packing, confirming logistics, and preparing both units for the handoff.
Confirm your moving company or truck rental. Call to verify the date, time, and any access instructions they need. Confirm the total cost and payment method.
Finish packing room by room. Pack one room completely before moving to the next. Label boxes on multiple sides so you can read them no matter how they're stacked.
Pack an essentials bag. This goes with you personally—not in the moving truck. Include toiletries and medications, phone charger and laptop, a change of clothes, important documents (lease, ID, insurance papers), snacks and water, basic cleaning supplies, and toilet paper (trust us on this one).
Empty and defrost your refrigerator. If you're taking your fridge, empty it at least 24 hours before the move. Clean it out and leave the door slightly open to prevent mold.
Take photos of electronics. Before unplugging your TV, router, gaming console, or stereo, take photos of how the cables connect. This makes setup at your new place much faster.
Start deep cleaning. Don't leave this until the last day. Clean as you pack—once a room is empty, give it a thorough cleaning.
Patch small holes. Fill nail holes with spackle and touch up if you have matching paint. This is a normal part of wear and tear, but leaving walls looking good helps.
Take condition photos. Document the state of your unit before you leave. Take photos and videos of every room, including closets and appliances. These protect you if there's any dispute about the condition you left it in.
Gather everything to return. Collect all keys, fobs, mailbox keys, parking passes, and garage remotes. Make a list so nothing gets forgotten.
The big day. Stay organized and you'll get through it smoothly.
Do a final walkthrough. Check every room, closet, drawer, and storage area. Look behind doors and inside cabinets. Check the balcony, parking spot, and storage locker.
Read utility meters. Take photos of your electricity and gas meters showing final readings. This protects you from being billed for the next tenant's usage.
Take final condition photos. One more round of photos showing the clean, empty unit. Include timestamps.
Lock up completely. Close and lock all windows and doors. If you have a sliding door, make sure the security bar is in place.
Return keys. Give all keys to your landlord. If possible, get a written receipt confirming you returned them and the date. If your landlord isn't available, follow their instructions for key return and document it.
Do your move-in inspection immediately. Before the movers start unloading, walk through the entire unit and document its condition. This is critical for protecting yourself when you eventually move out.
Take photos and video of everything. Document every room from multiple angles. Get close-ups of any existing damage—scuffs, stains, scratches, dents, holes. Make sure photos are dated.
Test everything. Check that all appliances work—run the dishwasher, test the stove burners, make sure the fridge is cooling. Turn on every light switch. Run water in all sinks, tubs, and showers. Flush all toilets. Test door locks.
Check safety equipment. Press the test button on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. If they don't work, notify your landlord immediately in writing.
Report any issues in writing. If you find damage or problems, email or text your landlord that same day with photos attached. This creates a record that the issues existed before you moved in.
You're in. Now handle the administrative tasks that have legal deadlines.
Ontario law requires you to update certain documents within specific timeframes. Miss these deadlines and you could face fines.
Driver's licence and vehicle permit: 6 days. This is a legal requirement. Failing to update within 6 days can result in a fine up to $85. You can update both online through ServiceOntario or visit a ServiceOntario centre in person. It's free. Your new licence arrives by mail in 4-6 weeks.
Health card: 30 days. You must update your health card address within 30 days to keep your OHIP coverage current and receive renewal notices. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at ServiceOntario. If your health card has an address printed on it, you must update in person.
Pro tip: You can update your driver's licence, vehicle permit, and health card all at once through ServiceOntario's online address change service.
Canada Revenue Agency. Update your address with CRA through My Account online. This ensures tax refunds, benefit payments, and notices reach you.
Elections Ontario. Update your voter registration so you can vote in your new riding during provincial elections.
Healthcare providers. Notify your doctor, dentist, pharmacy, and any specialists of your new address.
Vehicle insurance. Your address affects your auto insurance rates. Contact your insurer to update your policy—rates may change based on your new location.
Leaving your old place clean helps ensure a smooth handoff and protects your relationship with your former landlord—useful if you need a reference later.
Kitchen. Clean inside and outside of all appliances: oven, stovetop, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher. Wipe down cabinets inside and out. Clean countertops and backsplash. Scrub the sink and faucet. Empty and clean under the sink.
Bathroom. Scrub the toilet inside and out. Clean the tub or shower, including tiles and grout. Wipe down the vanity, sink, and faucet. Clean mirrors. Wipe down exhaust fan cover.
All rooms. Dust all surfaces including windowsills and baseboards. Clean inside all closets. Wipe down doors and door handles. Clean light switches and outlet covers.
Floors. Vacuum all carpets. Sweep and mop hard floors. Steam clean carpets if required by your lease—check before assuming you need to.
Windows. Clean inside glass and window tracks. Wipe down blinds or curtains if they stay with the unit.
Final touches. Replace any burnt-out light bulbs. Remove all garbage. Clear out storage locker completely. Take out recycling and garbage on your last day.
A few rules apply specifically to Ontario renters that differ from other provinces.
60 days notice is required. Ontario requires a full 60 days—not the 30 days required in some other provinces. Use Form N9 and make sure your termination date is the last day of a rental period.
Termination date must be exact. You can't just pick any date. If you pay rent on the first of each month, your termination date must be the last day of a month.
Landlords cannot charge cleaning deposits. Under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, landlords cannot collect damage deposits or cleaning fees. The only deposit allowed is last month's rent, which must be applied to your final month.
Your last month's rent deposit covers your final month. The deposit you paid when you moved in should be applied to your last month's rent. You should not pay rent for your final month if you already paid a last month deposit.
Assignment rules give you options. If your landlord refuses to let you assign your lease, you can give just 30 days notice instead of 60 days. This applies if you asked to assign and were denied.
For more on tenant protections during your move, see our guide to rent control in Ontario.
You've done the hard work of moving—packing, cleaning, hauling boxes, changing addresses. Now you're settled in a new place with a fresh start.
Here's something most renters don't think about: your first rent payment at your new apartment is a perfect opportunity to start building credit.
Rent is usually your biggest monthly expense. Yet in Canada, those payments don't automatically appear on your credit report. You could pay rent perfectly for years and your credit score won't reflect it. When you apply for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage, all those on-time payments remain invisible.
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