Your Lease

Leases for Western Apartments are legally binding termination leases. This means: 

• Leases end on a fixed date with no automatic renewal or month-to-month extension.
• Tenants agree to vacate the unit on the lease end date by signing an N11 Form (Agreement to End the Tenancy), which is used by both landlord and tenant to confirm the lease ends on a specific day.
• The standard 60 days’ notice is not required or accepted.
• All leases are joint leases, meaning each tenant is equally responsible for the full rent and all lease terms. 
   

Only full-time students at Western University may be listed on a lease. If a tenant wishes to have a non-student live in the unit, they must be registered with the Rental Office for emergency and occupancy purposes. 
 

To ensure appropriate use of space: 

• Under-occupied units (e.g., one person in a three-bedroom) may require relocation to a smaller unit after the lease ends.
• Over-occupied units (e.g., five people in a two-bedroom) may not be eligible for transfer to a larger unit. Transfers are subject to availability and the volume of applications 
   

Western Apartments are intended as transitional student housing, not long-term accommodations. Tenants must reapply for a lease at the end of each term. Notices with application instructions are typically sent three to four months before the lease expires. 

To be considered for a new lease, tenants must:

1. Maintain full-time student status at Western (Main Campus)
2. Have a positive rent payment history
3. Avoid major or repeated conduct issues (e.g., noise complaints, smoking, unreported occupants, or poor unit condition) 

Initial leases are for 12 months. Returning tenants may apply for shorter or longer terms based on academic needs. Missing the application deadline may result in the unit being offered to new applicants. 

If a tenant wishes to end their lease early, 60 days’ written notice (after the first year of the lease) is required. Tenants are expected to meet lease requirements within their first year of living in Western Apartments.  Lease assignments and takeovers are not permitted. 
 

 Tenants may request to sublet their unit temporarily. Sublets: 

• Must be approved by Western Housing
• Are not formal leases and remain the responsibility of the original tenant
• Are limited to a maximum of four months
• Must meet eligibility requirements and be registered with the Rental Office

Approved subletters are covered under the tenant’s renters’ insurance. If a subletter wishes to become a tenant, they must apply through the standard housing application process. 
 

Tenants may apply to transfer to a different apartment after completing 12 months in their current unit. Approval is based on: 

• The condition of the current unit (an inspection is required)
• Availability and demand
• Signing a new lease and N11 form 

Please note that rental rates for the new unit may differ from the current lease. 
 

If you need to add or change a roommate, you must first request approval from the Rental Office. Once approved, a new lease will be issued.

Please note
The unit will be offered as-is. Standard cleaning and painting typically done during a full turnover will not be provided. 

If you wish to end your lease early (and it is not your first 12-month lease), you may do so by providing 60 days’ notice to the Rental Office. You remain financially responsible for the lease until a new N11 form is signed and approved. The most recent N11 will override the original lease end date and confirm your new move-out date. 

Download Tenant Handbook