09/12/2026
Major amendments to the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) will come into effect on September 21, 2026. Stemming primarily from the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 (Bill 97) and the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 (Bill 60), these changes significantly impact both landlords and tenants.
Key changes:
1. Reduced Notice Period for Non-Payment Evictions
The required notice period on an N4 notice for non payment of rent will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days for most monthly tenancies.
2. Specific Test for "Persistent Late Payment"
Persistent late payment is now explicitly defined in the regulations as rent left unpaid for more than 7 days past the due date on at least 3 occasions within a 6-month period (provided the delay was not caused by the landlord allocating the payment to another outstanding amount).
3. Payment Requirement for Tenant Issues at Arrears Hearings
To raise tenant side issues at an arrears hearing, the tenant must now pay 50% of the claimed rent arrears into the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) no later than 7 days before the hearing, unless regulations provide otherwise.
4. Alternative Notice Option for "Landlord's Own Use" Evictions
For personal use evictions (N12), landlords will now have the option to provide at least 120 days' notice without paying the standard one month rent compensation, provided all statutory conditions are met. Alternatively, landlords may still utilize the shorter notice period combined with the required one month compensation.
5. Statutory Presumption of Bad Faith for "Own Use" Evictions
If a unit remains unoccupied by a qualifying individual within 60 days after a tenant vacates under an own use notice, the law will presume the notice was given in bad faith, placing a higher burden of proof and documentation on landlords.
6. Enhanced Right of First Refusal for Renovations/Repairs
Landlords undertaking major renovations must now formally update tenants who exercise their right of first refusal regarding estimated completion dates and provide at least 60 days' notice once the unit is ready for reoccupancy. Non-compliance will be treated as a denial of the tenant's right of first refusal.
7. Stricter LTB Rules on Eviction Orders
New regulations will establish tighter constraints and conditions regarding when the Board may postpone the enforcement of eviction orders or set aside existing orders, particularly in cases involving prior orders or mediated settlements.
