If you’re part of Ontario’s rental community—as a tenant or a landlord—you might have heard about Bill 60, officially the “Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act.” While the name suggests construction, this new provincial law introduces important updates to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) that directly affect how leases operate and how disputes are handled.
We know these legal changes can feel overwhelming. To help you navigate the evolving landscape, we’ve broken down the four key changes within Bill 60 you need to understand.
Understanding the Changes Under Bill 60
Bill 60’s primary goal is to address the backlog and speed up processes at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). For both parties, this means tighter timelines and new standards for handling certain disputes.
1. Eviction Compensation for “Personal Use” Modified
- Before Bill 60: Landlords evicting a tenant for personal use (moving in themselves or for family) were required to pay the tenant one month’s rent as compensation, regardless of the notice period.
- After Bill 60: The landlord is no longer required to pay compensation if they provide the tenant with a full 120 days’ notice (four months) before the termination date. They must still follow all other rules for a bona fide personal move-in.
Landlords: If you are a landlord and plan to move into a unit you must give the tenant the required four months’ notice. You no longer have to give the tenant the one-month rent payment as compensation that was mandatory under the previous rules.
2. Faster Eviction Filings for Non-Payment of Rent
- Before Bill 60: Tenants had a 14-day grace period after receiving a Notice of Termination for Non-payment of Rent (N4) to pay the overdue amount before the landlord could proceed with an eviction application.
- After Bill 60: That window for a tenant to void the N4 notice is cut to 7 days. This means landlords can file an L1 application (Application to Evict a Tenant for Non-Payment of Rent) with the LTB a full week sooner than before.
Landlords: If a tenant misses rent on December 1st, the landlord can begin eviction proceedings by roughly December 8th instead of having to wait until December 16th.
3. Limits on Raising New Issues at Hearings
- Before Bill 60: Tenants could introduce new issues—such as maintenance problems or claims of an illegal rent increase—during a non-payment hearing.
- After Bill 60: Tenants must provide prior notice of these issues to the LTB and the landlord before the hearing date. If they fail to provide this notice, the issues generally cannot be raised during the non-payment hearing.
Tenants: Document problems and notify your landlord of maintenance issues or any disputes in writing the moment they arise. Waiting until the hearing to bring up a defense will no longer work.
4. Shorter Appeal Period for Orders
- Before Bill 60: Tenants had 30 days to appeal an eviction order to the Divisional Court.
- After Bill 60: The appeal period has been reduced to just 15 days. Extensions are now rare and only granted if deemed “just and appropriate.”
Navigating the New Landscape: Advice for All Parties
Bill 60 makes speed and preparation essential. Here is what this means for both tenants and landlords.
For Tenants: How to Navigate the Tighter Timelines
The most significant takeaway for renters is the urgent need for immediate action and proactive documentation.
- Act Immediately on Notices: If you receive a Notice of Termination (N4, N12, N13), do not delay. The shortened 7-day grace period for non-payment and the 15-day appeal window mean that waiting even a few days could seriously limit your options.
- Document and Notify Early: Always inform your landlord of maintenance issues or other concerns in writing the moment they occur. This paper trail is your defense, and you must now submit it before the hearing, not at the last minute.
- Seek Advice Fast: For official guidance on your rights and responsibilities, you can consult resources from the Landlord and Tenant Board or the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) if you are facing a specific issue.
For Landlords: Key Strategies to Adapt to Bill 60
While some timelines are shortened, the fundamental legal requirements for a lawful eviction remain unchanged. Landlords must ensure they are procedurally perfect to benefit from the increased speed.
- The 120-Day Notice is Your New Compensation Strategy: For personal use evictions (N12), providing the full 120 days’ notice eliminates the obligation to pay one month’s rent. However, you must still have a genuine good faith intention to occupy the unit to avoid severe penalties.
- Faster Non-Payment Applications Require Zero Error: The 7-day non-payment window allows for faster applications to the LTB, which helps mitigate rent arrears. This speed is only beneficial if your N4 notices are filled out and served perfectly, as procedural errors will still cause delays.
- Maintain Records to Preempt Defenses: Since tenants must now provide prior notice of issues they wish to raise, having a clear and consistent paper trail of your communication with your tenants regarding maintenance and unit condition will be crucial for a smooth hearing.
A Friendly Reminder
This blog post shares information about Ontario’s Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025) for educational purposes only. It does not reflect endorsement or support of the Ontario government’s views.
