A Canadian Consent to Sublease Form is a formal legal document through which a landlord provides written permission for a tenant to sublease (sublet) their rental unit to a third party, known as the subtenant. In Canada, subletting is regulated by provincial residential tenancy legislation, and in most provinces, a tenant must obtain the landlord's consent before subleasing the rental unit.

In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (S.O. 2006, c. 17) governs subletting under sections 95-97. A tenant has the right to sublet the rental unit with the landlord's consent (s. 97(1)), and the landlord shall not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold consent (s. 97(2)). If the landlord refuses consent or does not respond within seven days, the tenant can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an order authorizing the sublease. The original tenant remains bound by all the obligations of the tenancy agreement during the sublease period (s. 97(3)), meaning they are still responsible for paying rent and ensuring the property is maintained. It is also an offence under RTA s. 134 for the tenant to charge the subtenant more than the lawful rent plus a reasonable amount for additional services.

In British Columbia, the Residential Tenancy Act (R.S.B.C. 2002, c. 78) requires the tenant to obtain the landlord's written consent before subletting (s. 34). The landlord must not unreasonably withhold consent. The tenant can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for dispute resolution if consent is unreasonably refused. BC law also provides that the original tenant remains responsible for the obligations under the tenancy agreement during the sublease.

In Alberta, the Residential Tenancies Act (S.A. 2004, c. R-17.1) requires the tenant to obtain the landlord's written consent before subletting. While the Act does not explicitly state that consent cannot be unreasonably withheld, courts in Alberta generally apply a reasonableness standard. The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) can assist with disputes.

In Quebec, the Civil Code treats subletting differently from lease assignment (cession de bail). For a sublease, the tenant needs the landlord's consent, which cannot be refused without serious reason (art. 1870-1876). The sublease cannot exceed the term of the original lease, and the original tenant remains bound by the lease obligations. Quebec also has specific procedures for lease assignment, which is often the preferred method when a tenant wishes to permanently leave the unit.

This Consent to Sublease Form is essential because it creates a written record of the landlord's permission, specifies any conditions attached to the consent, identifies the proposed subtenant, and clarifies the rights and obligations of all parties during the sublease period. Without proper written consent, the sublease may be invalid, and the tenant could face eviction proceedings for unauthorized subletting.

When a tenant needs to temporarily vacate the rental unit for a defined period, such as for a work assignment, travel, or academic term abroad, and wishes to sublease the unit to offset rent costs during their absence. The consent form ensures the landlord is aware of and agrees to the arrangement, and sets out any conditions the subtenant must follow.

When a tenant has found a potential subtenant and needs to obtain the landlord's formal written consent before proceeding with the sublease. Under Ontario's RTA s. 97, the landlord must respond within a reasonable time and cannot arbitrarily refuse. This form documents the consent and any conditions.

When a landlord wants to set specific conditions for the sublease, such as requiring the subtenant to undergo a credit check, provide references, maintain insurance, or adhere to specific house rules. The consent form provides a formal mechanism for documenting these conditions.

When both the landlord and tenant want to establish clear boundaries regarding rent, property maintenance, and liability during the sublease period. The form can specify the maximum sublease rent (which in Ontario cannot exceed the lawful rent under RTA s. 134), the subtenant's obligations, and what happens if the subtenant breaches the terms.

When a tenant is considering subletting in a province with specific consent requirements, such as BC (where the landlord must provide written consent) or Quebec (where specific procedural rules apply). The consent form ensures compliance with provincial requirements.

When a landlord wishes to formally acknowledge the sublease while preserving their legal relationship with the original tenant, who remains responsible for all lease obligations. This is important because, unlike an assignment, a sublease does not release the original tenant from their obligations.

Identification of All Parties -- The form must clearly identify the consenter (landlord) by full legal name and address, the addressee (original tenant), and the proposed subtenant. Contact information for all parties should be included. In Ontario, the landlord must provide an address for service (RTA s. 12).

Property Description -- The complete address of the rental unit being subleased, including unit number, to avoid any confusion about which property is subject to the consent. The form should also reference the original lease agreement and its execution date.

Permitted Sublease Activities -- A clear description of what the subtenant is permitted to do, including the specific use of the premises. This section should be detailed enough to prevent disputes about the scope of the sublease.

Subtenant Information -- The proposed subtenant's full legal name, contact information, and any screening results (credit check, references) that the landlord may have required as a condition of consent.

Duration and Termination -- The specific start and end dates of the sublease, or a statement that the consent is valid until withdrawn. The sublease period cannot exceed the remaining term of the original lease. The form should also specify the conditions under which the consent can be withdrawn.

Rent Provisions -- The maximum rent that may be charged to the subtenant, which in Ontario must not exceed the lawful rent for the unit (RTA s. 134). The form should clarify that the original tenant remains responsible for paying the full rent to the landlord regardless of what the subtenant pays.

Conditions of Consent -- Any specific conditions the landlord places on the sublease, such as insurance requirements, prohibitions on certain activities, maintenance obligations, or restrictions on further subletting by the subtenant.

Original Tenant's Continuing Liability -- A clear statement that the original tenant remains fully responsible for all obligations under the original lease during the sublease period, including rent payment, property maintenance, and compliance with all lease terms.

Governing Province -- The province or territory whose residential tenancy legislation applies, which determines the rules regarding consent, rent limits, dispute resolution, and the parties' rights and obligations.