The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) in Ontario had some major updates and legislative changes that took effect September 21, 2026. Thes introduce significant procedural shifts for both landlords and tenants in Ontario, and should improve delays.
Key updates of the September 21 2026 LTB Changes are:
Shorter N4 Notice Period (7 Days): The notice period for an N4 form (Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-Payment of Rent) has been reduced from 14 days to 7 days for monthly, yearly, and fixed-term tenancies. This compresses the window a tenant has to pay missed rent before a landlord can file an L1 application with the LTB.
N12 Personal-Use Eviction Compensation Exception: Landlords serving an N12 notice (for personal use by themselves, a purchaser, or close family members) can now waive the standard requirement to pay one month's rent as compensation, provided they give at least 120 days' notice and the termination date aligns with the end of a rental period or term.
Persistent Late Payment has been defined (N8): Regulation changes establish a clear, written benchmark for persistent late payment under an N8 notice—defined specifically as "three or more occasions of rent being paid more than seven days late" within a six-month lookback period.
T5 Application Deadline Update: The deadline for a tenant to file a T5 application (for bad faith evictions or related issues) has been updated to two years after the date the tenant moves out
(Note: Other concurrent administrative shifts surrounding LTB reviews, fine structures, and general procedures have rolled out through mid-2026 to streamline case processing timelines.)
What these changes mean if you're a landlord:
These updated regulations provide sharper tools to manage cash flow and streamline property operations when challenges arise. With the N4 notice period compressed to just seven days, you can address non-payment of rent much faster, reducing the window of financial exposure. Additionally, the option to waive the one-month compensation fee on an N12 notice—provided you give at least 120 days' notice—offers welcome flexibility when transitioning a property back for personal or family use. Meanwhile, the clear benchmark for persistent late payment under an N8 removes previous gray areas, making it straightforward to document chronic payment issues and take decisive action.
What these changes mean if you're a renter:
The shifting landscape means timelines and procedural windows require your utmost attention to protect your housing stability. Because the N4 notice period for missed rent has dropped from 14 days down to seven, you have a much narrower window to catch up on arrears before a landlord can file with the LTB. On the plus side, clarity around rules like the two-year deadline for filing T5 bad-faith applications gives you a solid, predictable timeframe to hold landlords accountable if an eviction turns out to be unlawful. Staying proactive with your communication and keeping meticulous payment records are your best defenses under these tighter rules.
Maximum Prosecution Fines for Landlords in Ontario:
For severe violations of the RTA—such as illegal lockouts, bad-faith evictions, or shutting off vital services—landlords can be prosecuted. Maximum fine thresholds are:
- Individuals: Up to $100,000
- Corporations: Up to $500,000
Bad Faith Evictions (N12 / N13): If a landlord evicts a tenant for personal use or renovations and fails to follow through (e.g., re-renting the unit out immediately at a higher rate), a tenant can file a T5 application. Penalties ordered by the LTB can include:
- Paying the tenant up to 12 months of their last rent charged.
- Covering the difference in rent between the old unit and the tenant’s new home for up to one year.
- Covering reasonable out-of-pocket moving, storage, and related expenses.
Other landlord behaviours that may result in fines or penalties are: Illegal Lockouts, interfere with reasonable enjoyment, changing locks without following proper legal eviction processes, or harassing a tenant to force them out, are major offenses., intentionally cutting off or interfering with the supply of heat, electricity, fuel, hot/cold water, or gas is strictly prohibited. Unlawful Rent Collection: Charging rent above allowable guidelines without an approved Above-Guideline Increase (AGI), illegally retaining deposits, or failing to pay annual interest on rent deposits results in mandatory rebates to the tenant (via T1 applications).
For more information on Bill 60 & the Residential Tenancies Act visit:
Ontario Government Website bill 60
Ontario Residential Tenancies act 2006
Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario
