Ontario Bill 60 Explained: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know
Ontario’s Bill 60 introduces a series of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act aimed at reducing delays and improving efficiency at the Landlord and Tenant Board. While the bill does not overhaul tenant protections, it does meaningfully adjust timelines, procedures, and enforcement that affect both landlords and tenants.
Below is a practical breakdown of the key changes and what they mean in real terms.
Shorter Timeline for Rent Arrears Applications
Previously, landlords were required to wait 14 days after serving an N4 notice before filing an application for non payment of rent. Under Bill 60, that waiting period has been reduced to 7 days.
What this means:
• Faster access to the LTB process
• Reduced accumulation of unpaid rent
• Earlier resolution of rent arrears issues
This change improves cash flow certainty for landlords while maintaining the tenant’s right to remedy arrears.
Reduced Review and Appeal Window
The time allowed to request an internal review of an LTB decision has been reduced from 30 days to 15 days.
Impact:
• Decisions reach finality sooner
• Fewer prolonged disputes
• More certainty once an order is issued
This change is designed to limit extended delays after a ruling has already been made.
Tighter Rules for Raising New Issues at Hearings
Tenants can no longer raise unrelated repair or harassment issues at a rent arrears hearing unless specific conditions are met.
To raise new issues:
• Written notice must be given at least 7 days before the hearing
• The tenant must pay 50% of the arrears before the hearing
This keeps hearings focused and reduces adjournments caused by last minute claims.
Changes to Compensation for Landlord’s Own Use
Previously, landlords were required to pay one month’s rent as compensation when reclaiming a unit for personal use.
Under Bill 60:
• Compensation may be waived if 120 days’ notice is provided
• The termination date must align with the end of a rental period or fixed term
This reduces upfront costs for landlords reclaiming units while preserving advance notice requirements for tenants.
Clearer Definition of Persistent Late Payment
Bill 60 allows the province to define “persistent late payment” through regulation rather than leaving it entirely to adjudicator discretion.
Why this matters:
• More consistent rulings
• Clearer expectations for tenants
• Fewer unpredictable outcomes
Details will be finalized through regulation, but the intent is greater consistency.
Limits on the LTB’s Ability to Delay or Review Orders
The LTB’s discretion to delay eviction orders or set aside agreements is being narrowed. Reviews and delays will now be governed more strictly by regulation.
Impact:
• Less uncertainty after an order is issued
• Fewer last minute postponements
• Greater predictability for both parties
Expanded Publication of LTB Decisions
LTB decisions and orders will be published more broadly.
This improves:
• Transparency
• Access to precedent
• Tenant screening and due diligence
Public decisions help both landlords and tenants understand how rules are applied in practice.
Standardized Notice and Eviction Forms
The province will now prescribe the content of certain LTB notices through regulation rather than leaving this entirely to the Board.
Result:
• More consistent forms
• Fewer technical errors
• Clearer communication of rights and obligations
Improved Enforcement Resources
Bill 60 includes provisions to increase enforcement capacity, addressing long standing delays in executing eviction orders.
Expected outcome:
• Faster sheriff enforcement
• Reduced backlog once orders are granted
Lease Expiry Changes Not Included (For Now)
A proposed change that would have allowed tenancies to end automatically at lease expiry was withdrawn.
For now:
• Security of tenure remains unchanged
• Fixed term leases continue to convert to month to month
• Future changes remain possible
Landlords should continue to follow existing termination rules.
Final Thoughts
Bill 60 does not remove tenant protections, but it does meaningfully tighten timelines, reduce procedural delays, and introduce more structure to LTB decision making. For landlords, the changes provide greater predictability and faster resolution. For tenants, notice requirements and due process remain intact.
As regulations continue to be finalized, both landlords and tenants should stay informed and seek professional guidance when navigating tenancy issues.
