Need advice on sublease dispute
Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice on a rental/sublease situation in Ontario.
I sublet a room to someone under a signed agreement for a fixed term.The tenant moved in recently and is now saying she wants to cancel the agreement and is requesting a refund. She has also raised concerns about the cleanliness of the room (it was move-in ready, but she pointed out minor issues like items under the bed), and has mentioned possibly taking legal action.
I have told her I am willing to try to resolve things fairly and I am currently looking for another tenant to re-rent the room to minimize losses. I’m unsure about what my legal position is regarding refunds, especially since she has already moved in and there is a signed agreement.
My questions are:
- In Ontario, am I required to refund rent if a subtenant cancels after moving in?
- Is it reasonable to keep rent for the time the room was reserved?
- How does Small Claims Court usually handle situations like this?
Any advice or experiences would be really appreciated. Thank you!