Ontario’s Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025): What It Means for Landlords and Tenants
Key Takeaways
- Bill 60 is designed to improve the efficiency of Ontario’s rental housing system by reducing delays in certain Landlord and Tenant Board processes.
- Some changes are already in effect, while others will be implemented later in 2026.
- The upcoming seven-day N4 notice period does not allow immediate evictions.
- Most landlord and tenant rights under the Residential Tenancies Act remain unchanged.
- Efficient dispute resolution benefits both landlords and tenants by reducing uncertainty and helping resolve issues more quickly.
- Staying informed about legislative changes can help landlords protect their investments and remain compliant with Ontario’s rental laws.
For many Ontario landlords, the biggest challenge isn’t necessarily finding tenants—it’s navigating what happens when something goes wrong.
When disputes arise, lengthy Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) delays often leave landlords and tenants waiting months for resolutions, creating financial uncertainty and frustration on both sides.
Ontario’s Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, introduces several procedural changes affecting Ontario’s rental housing system. The legislation is intended to improve the efficiency of certain Landlord and Tenant Board processes, although it has also generated significant discussion and misinformation.
The reforms come after years of lengthy LTB backlogs that left many landlords waiting months to resolve disputes involving unpaid rent and other tenancy issues while continuing to cover mortgages, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance costs. At the same time, tenants also experienced extended wait times.
While some of Bill 60’s changes are already in effect, others are being implemented in stages, and many longstanding landlord and tenant rights remain unchanged. In this guide, we’ll explain what Bill 60 is, the key legislative changes affecting landlords and tenants, what hasn’t changed, and what these reforms could mean for Ontario’s rental housing market moving forward.
What Is Bill 60 in Ontario?
Bill 60, officially known as the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, is Ontario legislation designed to improve efficiency across several government processes, including certain procedures under the Residential Tenancies Act and the Landlord and Tenant Board.
The primary objective is to reduce unnecessary delays, improve access to timely hearings, and create greater certainty for both landlords and tenants when disputes arise.
Rather than rewriting Ontario’s rental laws, Bill 60 focuses largely on procedural improvements intended to make existing processes more efficient. Some provisions are already in force, while others are scheduled to take effect later in 2026.
Why Did Ontario Introduce Bill 60?
Bill 60 was introduced against the backdrop of growing concerns about housing availability, investment in rental housing, and significant delays within Ontario’s dispute resolution system.
When legal proceedings become unpredictable, the effects extend well beyond individual landlords or tenants.
Lengthy delays can:
- Increase financial pressure on rental housing providers
- Delay necessary repairs and property improvements
- Reduce confidence among investors considering rental housing
- Create prolonged uncertainty for tenants awaiting decisions
- Contribute to broader challenges within Ontario’s housing market
At PMT, we believe efficient legal processes ultimately benefit everyone participating in the rental housing system.
“PMT is very happy about the passing of Bill 60. We believe in protecting landlords while continuing to respect tenant rights. Giving landlords greater certainty when navigating legal proceedings encourages continued investment in rental housing, which ultimately benefits the broader housing market.”
-Ahmed Heshmat, General Manager at PMT
A balanced rental system depends on both responsible landlords and responsible tenants. Improving administrative efficiency should not be viewed as favouring one side over the other—it helps create a more predictable environment for everyone.
Ontario Bill 60 Summary: Key Changes
Although Bill 60 contains several legislative amendments, a handful of changes have attracted the greatest attention among Ontario landlords.
Ontario Bill 60 Summary Key Changes: Comparison Chart
| Topic | Before Bill 60 | Bill 60 Changes |
| N4 Notice for Non-Payment of Rent | 14-day notice period before landlords can apply to the LTB | Reduced to 7 days (effective September 21, 2026) |
| LTB Internal Review Period | 30 days to request an internal review | Reduced to 15 days (effective July 1, 2026) |
| Tenant Counter Claims | Existing procedures for raising certain maintenance issues | New requirements for some rent arrears hearings (effective September 21, 2026) |
| LTB Process | Longer delays due to significant backlogs | Ongoing procedural reforms intended to improve efficiency |
| Rent Control & Tenant Rights | Existing Residential Tenancies Act protections | No fundamental changes to Ontario’s rent control framework or core tenant protections |
Shorter Notice Period for Non-Payment of Rent
One of the most discussed changes is the reduction of the N4 Notice period for non-payment of rent.
Currently, landlords must provide tenants with at least 14 days to pay outstanding rent before moving to the next step of the eviction process.
Beginning September 21, 2026, that notice period is scheduled to decrease to 7 days.
It is important to understand what this change actually means. The shorter notice period does not allow landlords to immediately evict tenants after seven days. Instead, it allows landlords to begin the formal Landlord and Tenant Board application process sooner if rent remains unpaid.
Reducing the notice period simply allows the legal process to begin sooner—it does not shorten or bypass the requirement for an LTB hearing before an eviction can occur.
Tenants continue to have legal rights throughout the process, including the opportunity to participate in an LTB hearing before any eviction order is issued.
Changes to Landlord and Tenant Board Review Timelines
Another change already in effect involves requests for internal reviews of Landlord and Tenant Board decisions.
As of July 1, 2026, the time available to request an internal review has been reduced from 30 days to 15 days.
The goal is to reduce unnecessary delays and allow decisions to become final more efficiently while preserving access to the review process itself.
Bill 60 Implementation Timeline
Not all provisions of Bill 60 are taking effect at the same time. Understanding when changes come into force can help both landlords and tenants prepare for the updated requirements.
| Date | Change |
| July 1, 2026 | The timeframe to request an internal review of an LTB decision is reduced from 30 days to 15 days. |
| September 21, 2026 | The N4 notice period for non-payment of rent is reduced from 14 days to 7 days. |
| September 21, 2026 | New rules affecting certain tenant counterclaims during rent arrears hearings come into force. |
| Ongoing | Additional procedural improvements continue to be implemented to help reduce Landlord and Tenant Board delays. |
Tenant Counter Claims During Rent Arrears Hearings
Bill 60 also introduces changes affecting certain maintenance-related claims raised during rent arrears hearings.
When the relevant provisions come into force, tenants may be required to pay 50% of the alleged rent arrears before pursuing certain maintenance or repair-related claims within that specific proceeding.
This change has generated significant discussion online, but it applies only in particular circumstances and does not eliminate tenants’ ability to raise legitimate property maintenance concerns through appropriate legal channels.
Common Misconceptions About Bill 60
Since Bill 60 was introduced, misinformation has spread rapidly across social media platforms. Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Myth: Landlords Can Evict Tenants in Seven Days
Not true.
The upcoming seven-day timeline relates only to the notice period before a landlord may proceed with the next step in a non-payment application. An eviction still requires a hearing before the Landlord and Tenant Board, unless the matter is otherwise resolved according to Ontario law.
Myth: Tenant Rights Have Been Eliminated
False.
Ontario tenants continue to receive extensive protections under the Residential Tenancies Act. Bill 60 changes certain procedures—not the fundamental rights and obligations that govern residential tenancies.
Myth: Every Bill 60 Change Is Already in Effect
Incorrect.
Some amendments have already taken effect, while others—including the revised N4 notice period—are scheduled for implementation later in 2026. Understanding these timelines is important for both landlords and tenants.
Myth: Tenants Can No Longer Walk Away From Rental Debt
False.
Bill 60 does not create a new rule that automatically makes every dollar of unpaid rent permanently collectible. Landlords must still obtain a monetary order from the Landlord and Tenant Board before pursuing court enforcement. Existing limitation periods and enforcement rules continue to apply.
Non-Payment of Rent and Eviction Procedures Under Bill 60
One of the most significant aspects of Bill 60 for Ontario landlords involves changes to the process for addressing non-payment of rent. While many headlines have focused on shorter timelines, it’s important to understand that the legislation streamlines parts of the process—it does not remove the legal safeguards that exist for tenants.
Currently, if a tenant fails to pay rent, landlords must serve an N4 Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent, providing at least 14 days for the tenant to pay the outstanding balance before the landlord can file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
Beginning September 21, 2026, that notice period is scheduled to decrease to 7 days.
This means landlords may be able to begin the formal application process sooner when rent remains unpaid. However, tenants still retain important legal protections. An eviction cannot occur simply because seven days have passed. Landlords must still apply to the LTB, attend a hearing (unless otherwise resolved), and obtain an eviction order before a tenancy can legally end.
For landlords, this change may help reduce the time between missed rent payments and the beginning of the legal process. For tenants experiencing financial hardship, it reinforces the importance of communicating with landlords as early as possible before arrears continue to accumulate.
Can Landlords Collect Unpaid Rent From Former Tenants in Ontario?
One of the biggest misconceptions circulating online is that Bill 60 creates entirely new powers for landlords to recover unpaid rent from former tenants.
In reality, landlords have long been able to pursue unpaid rent after obtaining a monetary order from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Bill 60 does not create a brand-new collection system, and is instead intended to make parts of the dispute resolution process more efficient.
If the LTB issues a monetary order for unpaid rent, landlords may be able to file that order with the courts and pursue enforcement through existing legal processes, which can include:
- Wage garnishment
- Bank account garnishment
- Writs against certain property
- Other court-approved collection methods
However, these enforcement options are not automatic. Landlords must first obtain an LTB order and then follow Ontario’s court enforcement procedures.
Tenant Counter Claims and Review Rights
Bill 60 also includes changes intended to reduce procedural delays during certain Landlord and Tenant Board hearings.
- One amendment scheduled to come into force on September 21, 2026 may require tenants to pay 50% of the alleged rent arrears before raising certain maintenance or repair-related claims during a rent arrears hearing.
- Another change already in effect is the reduction of the timeframe for requesting an internal review of an LTB decision.
- As of July 1, 2026, parties generally have 15 days, rather than 30, to request an internal review of a Board decision.
These procedural changes are intended to improve efficiency while maintaining access to the legal review process.
Landlord Personal Use Eviction Compensation
Another topic that has generated questions is whether Bill 60 changes the rules surrounding personal-use evictions.
The answer is no.
When landlords seek to end a tenancy because they, an eligible family member, or a caregiver intend to move into the rental unit, the existing requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act continue to apply.
This includes:
- Serving the appropriate notice using the required LTB forms.
- Acting in good faith when claiming personal occupancy.
- Providing the required compensation to eligible tenants, which is generally one month’s rent or another acceptable rental unit.
Bill 60 does not remove these obligations, nor does it change the consequences for landlords who misuse personal-use eviction provisions.
Understanding these existing requirements remains just as important as understanding the new procedural changes introduced under Bill 60.
What Bill 60 Doesn’t Change
While Bill 60 introduces several procedural updates, many of Ontario’s most important landlord and tenant laws remain exactly the same.
These include:
- Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act remains the governing legislation for most residential rental properties.
- Landlords continue to be responsible for maintaining safe and habitable rental units.
- Tenants continue to have legal protections against unlawful evictions.
- Most rent control rules remain unchanged.
- Landlords must still obtain an LTB order before enforcing an eviction.
- Human rights protections continue to apply to residential tenancies.
- Landlords and tenants remain responsible for complying with the terms of their lease agreements.
- Landlords must still obtain an LTB monetary order before pursuing court enforcement for unpaid rent.
Understanding what hasn’t changed is just as important as understanding the new legislation. Bill 60 is primarily focused on improving administrative efficiency—not rewriting Ontario’s landlord and tenant laws.
Practical Implications for Landlords and Tenants
Bill 60 is intended to create a more efficient and predictable rental housing system. While many of the legislative changes focus on administrative processes, they have practical implications for both landlords and tenants. Understanding how these reforms may affect each party helps put the legislation into context.
What Bill 60 Means for Landlords
For landlords, Bill 60 offers greater certainty by reducing some of the delays that have created financial uncertainty in recent years.
Long hearing wait times can have significant consequences. When rental income stops but mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance expenses, and utility costs continue, many property owners are forced to absorb months of unexpected losses. By streamlining certain Landlord and Tenant Board processes, Bill 60 may help landlords address disputes more efficiently and return their focus to maintaining and improving their rental properties.
At PMT, we believe this benefits the broader rental housing market.
As Ahmed explains:
“We’re pleased to see steps being taken to improve the efficiency of Ontario’s rental housing system. Protecting landlords while respecting tenant rights encourages continued investment in rental housing, helps owners maintain their properties, and ultimately benefits everyone participating in the market.”
What Bill 60 Means for Tenants
While much of the discussion surrounding Bill 60 has focused on landlords, the legislation also has important implications for tenants.
Most importantly, Bill 60 does not remove the fundamental protections provided under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act. Tenants continue to have the right to safe and well-maintained housing, protection against unlawful evictions, and the opportunity to participate in Landlord and Tenant Board proceedings.
The primary changes relate to the timing and administration of certain legal processes rather than the rights themselves. For example, while the upcoming reduction of the N4 notice period allows landlords to begin the application process sooner in cases of non-payment, tenants still have the opportunity to resolve outstanding rent, attend an LTB hearing, and present their case before an eviction order can be issued.
For tenants experiencing financial hardship, early communication with a landlord remains one of the most effective ways to discuss payment arrangements and potentially avoid formal legal proceedings altogether.
Ultimately, a more efficient dispute resolution system benefits everyone by reducing prolonged uncertainty and helping legitimate issues reach a resolution sooner.
How PMT Helps Landlords Navigate Legislative Changes
Ontario’s rental legislation continues to evolve, making it increasingly important for landlords to stay informed about their legal responsibilities.
At PMT, we help property owners navigate these changes by providing professional property management and landlord services designed to reduce risk and simplify the day-to-day responsibilities of rental ownership.
Our team stays current with legislative updates, Landlord and Tenant Board procedures, lease requirements, rent collection practices, and documentation standards to help landlords remain compliant while protecting their investments.
We also understand that even with thorough tenant screening, circumstances can change. Job loss, illness, economic uncertainty, and other unforeseen events can impact a tenant’s ability to pay rent—regardless of how qualified they were when the lease began.
That’s why PMT offers a Rental Guarantee Program designed to provide landlords with an additional layer of protection. Depending on the plan selected, the program may include rent protection, assistance with the eviction process, and other support designed to reduce financial risk and provide greater peace of mind throughout the tenancy. For many landlords, it’s an extra safeguard against the unpredictable circumstances that no screening process can fully anticipate.
If you have questions about how Bill 60 may affect your rental property or would like support navigating Ontario’s evolving rental landscape, the team at PMT is here to help. Whether you need full-service property management, tenant placement, or additional protection through our Rental Guarantee Program, we can help you manage your investment with greater confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the changes under Ontario’s Bill 60 take effect?
Bill 60 is being implemented in stages. Some changes, including the reduction of the Landlord and Tenant Board internal review period from 30 days to 15 days, took effect on July 1, 2026. Other changes, such as the reduction of the N4 notice period for non-payment of rent from 14 days to 7 days, are scheduled to take effect on September 21, 2026.
Does Bill 60 allow landlords to evict tenants after seven days?
No. Bill 60 does not allow landlords to evict tenants after seven days. The upcoming seven-day timeline refers only to the notice period before a landlord may apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for non-payment of rent. An eviction still requires the proper legal process, including an LTB hearing and eviction order.
Does Bill 60 change Ontario’s rent control rules?
No. Bill 60 does not change Ontario’s existing rent control framework. Annual rent increase guidelines, exempt rental units, and lawful rent increase procedures continue to be governed by the Residential Tenancies Act.
Does Bill 60 apply to existing tenancies?
Generally, yes. Procedural changes introduced under Bill 60 apply according to the legislation’s implementation dates, regardless of when a tenancy or lease agreement began.
Can a landlord garnish wages for unpaid rent in Ontario?
Yes, but only after obtaining a monetary order through the Landlord and Tenant Board and following Ontario’s court enforcement procedures. Bill 60 does not create automatic wage garnishment or debt collection. It primarily streamlines certain Landlord and Tenant Board processes while existing court enforcement rules continue to apply.
Should landlords change how they manage rental properties because of Bill 60?
While Bill 60 introduces procedural changes, landlords should continue following the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act, maintain accurate documentation, and stay informed about legislative updates. Working with an experienced property management company can also help ensure compliance and reduce risk as Ontario’s rental laws continue to evolve.