Bill 60 — the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 — amends Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act in ways that directly affect how quickly landlords can pursue evictions and how tenants can defend themselves at hearings. If you're renting in Ontario, here's what changed and what you need to do to protect yourself.
What Changed Under Bill 60: A Before and After
| Change | Before Bill 60 | After Bill 60 |
|---|---|---|
| N4 notice period (non-payment of rent) | 14 days to pay or vacate | 7 days to pay or vacate |
| Raising other issues at eviction hearings | Tenants could raise maintenance, repairs, or other complaints at the hearing | Only allowed if you notify the LTB in advance AND pay 50% of the rent arrears claimed before the hearing |
| LTB decision appeal window | 30 days to request a review | 15 days to request a review |
| Compensation for own-use evictions | Landlords were required to pay one month's rent as compensation | No compensation required if landlord gives 4 months' notice |
| Eviction enforcement | Standard enforcement resources | Increased resources and more public LTB decisions |
What Each Change Means for Tenants
Shorter N4 notice window. The N4 is the form a landlord serves when you haven't paid rent. Previously, you had 14 days to pay the full amount owing or make arrangements. That window is now 7 days. Missing a rent payment and not resolving it within one week means your landlord can file with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) immediately.
New conditions to raise other issues at hearings. Under the old rules, if you were at a rent-arrears hearing, you could raise related issues — a landlord who refused to make repairs, for instance — as part of your defence. Under Bill 60, you can only do this if you've notified the LTB in advance that you intend to raise the issue, and you've paid 50% of the rent arrears being claimed before the hearing begins. This is a significant procedural hurdle that requires early preparation and legal guidance.
Faster appeal deadline. If you receive an LTB decision you want to challenge, you now have 15 days instead of 30 to request a review. That's a tight window, particularly if you need to find legal representation. Don't wait to read the decision carefully.
No guaranteed compensation for own-use evictions. When a landlord evicts a tenant to move in themselves or for a family member, they were previously required to pay the tenant one month's rent as compensation. Under Bill 60, that obligation is removed if the landlord gives 4 months' notice. You still have the right to receive proper notice and to challenge the eviction if you believe it's not genuine — but you may no longer receive financial support to help with the move.
What Tenants Should Do Now
With the N4 window cut to 7 days, there's no time to wait. If you receive a notice for non-payment of rent, pay what you can, contact your landlord in writing, and document the interaction. If you can't pay in full, a partial payment accompanied by a clear communication is better than silence.
Keep records of every rent payment (use e-transfer so there's a paper trail), all repair requests, and every interaction with your landlord. If you ever need to raise other issues at an LTB hearing, you'll need this documentation — and you'll need to have notified the LTB of your intent in advance.
Under the new rules, you can't spontaneously raise maintenance or other complaints at a rent-arrears hearing. You must notify the LTB in advance and be prepared to pay 50% of the arrears claimed before the hearing. If you have legitimate complaints about your unit, file them proactively — don't wait until a hearing.
With the appeal window now at 15 days, you have very little time to review a decision and find assistance. Contact Legal Aid Ontario, a tenant duty counsel program, or a tenant advocacy group the moment you receive a decision you want to challenge. Don't assume you have a month.
Bill 60 changes some timelines and procedures, but your fundamental rights as a tenant remain in place. Landlords still can't evict without proper notice, proper grounds, and an LTB order. Review your lease, understand your obligations, and know the process if you ever receive an eviction notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Tenants still have significant protections under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act. Landlords still need a valid legal reason to evict, must use proper notice forms, and must go through the LTB process. What Bill 60 changes is the speed of some timelines and the conditions under which certain defences can be raised at hearings.
No. Even under Bill 60, missing rent triggers a process — not an immediate eviction. Your landlord must serve you an N4, give you 7 days to pay, then file with the LTB if you don't. An LTB hearing is scheduled, and only after an order is issued can enforcement begin. The process is faster than before, but it still takes time.
An own-use eviction (N12) is when a landlord says they — or a qualifying family member — need to move into your unit. Under Bill 60, you may not receive one month's compensation if they give 4 months' notice. However, you can still challenge the eviction at the LTB if you believe it's not genuine. If the landlord doesn't actually move in afterward, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
If you can't meet the 50% payment requirement, you won't be able to raise other issues (like needed repairs) as a defence at your rent-arrears hearing. This is one of the more significant changes in Bill 60. Contact a tenant legal support organization as early as possible — they may be able to help you navigate this or file separate applications for any outstanding landlord obligations.
Legal Aid Ontario provides free legal assistance to qualifying tenants. The Ontario Tenant Duty Counsel Program offers help at LTB hearings. Many municipalities also have tenant advocacy organizations. Contact them as soon as you receive any notice — don't wait until the hearing is days away.
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