Major changes to Ontario’s rental rules take effect today, September 21, impacting millions of renters and landlords across the province.

The changes amend Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act and affect everything from missed rent payments to eviction hearings and landlords who want to move themselves or family members into a rental property.

Tenants Will Have Less Time to Pay Missed Rent

One of the biggest changes involves tenants who fall behind on rent.

For monthly or yearly tenants, an N4 notice for unpaid rent can now provide just seven days to pay the outstanding amount, down from the previous 14-day period. After that deadline passes, the landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to seek an eviction for non-payment.

Importantly, this does not mean a tenant can simply be kicked out after seven days. Landlords must still go through the Landlord and Tenant Board process and obtain an eviction order.

Ontario Now Defines “Persistent” Late Rent

The province has also introduced a clearer standard for repeatedly late rent.

Under the new regulation, failing to pay rent within seven days of its due date on at least three occasions within a six-month period is specifically included as persistent late payment. This can give a landlord grounds to pursue an N8 notice and seek to end the tenancy.

Changes to Landlord Own-Use Evictions

There are also significant changes when landlords want a rental property back so they or certain family members can live there.

A landlord using an N12 notice who provides at least 120 days’ notice for their own use can avoid the usual requirement to provide the tenant with one month’s rent as compensation or offer another acceptable unit. If less than 120 days is provided, the compensation requirement continues to apply.

New rules also address what happens after a tenant leaves. In certain circumstances, if the person named in the landlord’s own-use notice does not move into the property within 60 days, that can become relevant to whether the eviction was carried out in bad faith.

New Rules at Eviction Hearings

Another major change affects tenants facing a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing over unpaid rent.

For affected applications, a tenant who wants to raise certain separate issues involving their landlord — such as maintenance, repairs or harassment — must generally pay half of the rent arrears claimed before the hearing. Ontario’s regulations set the payment deadline at no later than seven days before the hearing.

Why This Matters in Toronto

With housing affordability remaining a major issue across Toronto and the GTA, these changes could have a significant impact on both renters and small landlords.

Supporters of the reforms argue they bring more clarity and balance to Ontario’s landlord-and-tenant system. Tenant advocates, however, have raised concerns that shorter timelines and the new requirements at hearings could make it more difficult for vulnerable renters to defend their rights.

Either way, anyone renting or owning a rental property in Ontario should become familiar with the new rules.

The changes are in effect as of today, September 21, 2026.