A Well-Structured Deal Can Beat a Year of Litigation
With LTB timelines measured in months, paying a tenant to leave voluntarily is often the cheapest option a landlord has — when it is done properly. Done badly, cash for keys produces the worst of both worlds: money paid, tenant still in place, and an agreement too defective to enforce.
A sound move-out deal is more than an e-transfer and a handshake. It needs a valid N11, payment structured against actual vacancy, terms covering the unit’s condition and the return of keys, and releases that prevent the file from reopening later.
We negotiate and paper cash-for-keys agreements, and we enforce them through an L3 application if the tenant takes the deal and then refuses to go.
What a Proper Move-Out Agreement Includes
The core components:
- A valid, correctly dated N11 Agreement to End the Tenancy
- Payment terms tied to vacant possession — not paid in full up front
- Terms addressing condition of the unit, removal of belongings, and keys
- Mutual releases scoped to end existing and potential claims
- An enforcement path (L3) if the tenant does not vacate on the agreed date
Common Scenarios We See
Landlords often contact us where:
- A sale or refinancing requires vacant possession sooner than litigation can deliver
- An N12 or N13 route is available but slower or riskier than a negotiated exit
- A difficult tenancy is worth ending at a price, without the uncertainty of a hearing
- A tenant has proposed a buyout and the landlord wants the terms reviewed
- A signed deal has fallen apart and needs enforcement
How We Assist
We assist landlords with:
- Valuing the deal: what the tenancy is actually costing and what an exit is worth
- Negotiating with the tenant or their representative
- Drafting the N11 and settlement terms so they are enforceable
- Structuring payment against vacancy to protect the landlord
- Filing an L3 promptly if the tenant fails to vacate
- Advising on tax and documentation questions that arise from buyouts
Why Structure Protects the Landlord
The classic failure is paying first and hoping. The tenant who has already been paid has no reason to leave, and a poorly drafted agreement may not support a fast L3. Sequencing the money, the N11, and the move-out date correctly is what makes the deal safe.
Book a Consultation
Before you offer a tenant money to leave — or accept their number — get the deal structured properly. Contact us first.