Ontario’s rental housing system is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) and enforced through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). With the introduction of Bill 60 (2025), the Province has proposed several amendments intended to “modernize” tenancy procedures and streamline Board operations.
This article provides a clear, simple comparison of the current RTA rules and the new framework proposed under Bill 60.
No predictions. No interpretations. Just the actual legislative differences, section by section.
1. Notice for Non-Payment of Rent (N4)
Relevant law: RTA ss. 59–60
Current RTA
When a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord issues an N4 Notice to End Tenancy for Non-payment.
Tenants have 14 days (for monthly or fixed-term tenancies) to pay the arrears in full and void the notice.
If the tenant pays within the 14-day period, the tenancy continues.
Bill 60
Bill 60 shortens the statutory timeline for non-payment procedures, reducing the notice period before a landlord may proceed to the LTB.
Exact timelines are detailed in the Bill’s amendments.
Source: Bill 60 PDF – Schedule 12 (Residential Tenancies Act amendments)
2. Raising Repair or Maintenance Issues at an Arrears Hearing – RTA Section 82
Current RTA (s. 82)
Tenants may raise issues at an eviction hearing—such as:
repair and maintenance problems,
vital service interruptions,
interference by the landlord.
Tenants must provide written notice before the hearing, but:
There is no required payment amount they must submit first.
Bill 60
Bill 60 retains Section 82 but adds two significant procedural requirements:
Tenants must follow new, stricter written-notice rules before raising repair or maintenance issues at an arrears eviction hearing.
Tenants must pay 50% of the rent arrears claimed before they are permitted to raise these issues at the hearing.
These requirements will be further defined in regulation.
Source: Bill 60 PDF – s. 82 amendments, Schedule 12
3. “Persistent Late Payment” – New Regulatory Definition
Current RTA
“Persistent late payment” is a recognized ground for eviction, but:
The Act does not define the term.
The LTB decides case-by-case based on the circumstances.
Bill 60
Bill 60 allows the Government to create an official, uniform definition of “persistent late payment” by regulation.
Once enacted, the LTB will apply that definition consistently.
Source: Bill 60 PDF – Schedule 12, amendments to s. 58
4. LTB’s Discretion Under Section 83 (Eviction Relief)
Current RTA
Section 83 requires the Board to consider all circumstances before ordering an eviction.
The LTB may:
delay an eviction,
refuse an eviction,
consider landlord and tenant conduct,
balance fairness in the situation.
Bill 60
Section 83 remains in place, but:
Bill 60 grants the Government authority to create regulations limiting how the LTB may use discretion.
This means the factors the Board can consider may be narrowed by future regulations.
Source: Bill 60 PDF – Schedule 12, s. 83 amendments
5. Reviews of Orders & Set-Aside Applications
Relevant law: RTA s. 209
Current RTA
Tenants may request an LTB review of an order within approximately 30 days.
Set-aside applications (when a tenant did not attend the hearing) have established pathways for reopening a case.
Bill 60
Bill 60:
Reduces the timeline to request a review (15 days).
Allows the Government to define the conditions and criteria for:
requesting a review, and
setting aside default (ex parte) eviction orders.
Source: Bill 60 PDF – Schedule 12, amendments to s. 209, s. 77
6. Landlord’s Own Use (N12) – Notice & Compensation
Current RTA
For a landlord’s own-use termination (N12):
Minimum 60 days’ notice
Mandatory compensation: one month’s rent OR an alternative unit
Source: RTA s. 48
Bill 60
Bill 60 maintains the own-use ground but modifies compensation rules.
Under the Bill, compensation requirements differ when landlords provide longer notice periods (e.g., 120 days).
Source: Bill 60 PDF – Schedule 12
7. Standardization of Forms & Expanded Publication of LTB Decisions
Current RTA
LTB forms are produced by the tribunal.
Published decisions follow internal policy and are not fully centralized.
Bill 60
The Government gains authority to:
set or modify official notice and application forms,
oversee broader publication of LTB decisions to increase transparency.
Source: Bill 60 PDF – Schedule 12, form-related amendments
Conclusion
Ontario needs rental legislation that supports balance and fairness for both tenants and landlords. A strong, stable housing system encourages investment while ensuring renters have clear protections.
For the rental market to grow, the law must motivate responsible investors to supply more homes. If the system becomes fair and predictable, more small-scale landlords will enter the market, and rental shortages can ease over time.
Importantly, life-long tenancy rules should not apply the same way to small “mom-and-pop” landlords who own three or fewer units. These owners are not large corporations—they are families, retirees, and individuals contributing vital housing supply. Treating them differently would result in thousands of additional units becoming available.
Across Ontario, there are also thousands of homeowners who do not occupy their homes year-round. With fair and balanced rules, many of these owners would confidently rent their homes to earn supplemental income—further increasing rental availability.
A modernized, fair rental system can work for everyone. The right balance will support tenants, protect small landlords, and encourage more Ontarians to open their doors—helping reduce rental shortages across the province.
Source: Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025
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