Ontario is introducing important changes to the Residential Tenancies Act and Landlord and Tenant Board procedures on September 21, 2026, following an earlier round of amendments that took effect on July 1.
Whether you own an investment property, lease your home or are currently renting, these changes are worth understanding.
I've outlined the key updates below, including what they mean for landlords and tenants, along with official Ontario government resources for anyone who would like to explore the details further.
Key Changes Effective September 21, 2026
01 | Non-Payment of Rent: Shorter N4 Notice Period
For monthly and yearly tenancies, the minimum termination notice period under an N4 for unpaid rent decreases from 14 days to seven days.
For landlords: The shorter notice period means you may be able to proceed with an application to the Landlord and Tenant Board sooner if rent remains unpaid after the notice period expires. The correct notice and legal procedures must still be followed.
For tenants: The time available to address unpaid rent before a landlord can apply to the LTB is shorter. However, receiving an N4 does not automatically terminate your tenancy or mean you must immediately leave your home. A landlord must still follow the legal eviction process.
02 | Persistent Late Payment of Rent
The new rules establish a clearer benchmark for what may constitute persistent late payment.
A tenant may meet this threshold if they fail to pay rent within seven days of its due date on at least three occasions within any six-month period, subject to the conditions in the regulation.
For landlords: Accurate records of rent due dates and payments are particularly important when considering an application based on persistent late payment. Meeting the benchmark does not automatically result in eviction; an application must still be considered by the LTB.
For tenants: Repeatedly paying rent more than seven days after it is due may have consequences even if the outstanding rent is eventually paid. Understanding the payment terms of your tenancy and communicating early when difficulties arise remains important.
The new benchmark does not necessarily exclude other circumstances that may constitute persistent late payment under the Act.
03 | Landlord's Own Use: Notice and Compensation
Qualifying landlords who provide at least 120 days' notice may be exempt from the usual requirement to provide one month's rent as compensation when seeking possession of a rental property for their own use or qualifying family use.
The exemption is subject to specific legislative conditions, including the timing of the notice and the termination date.
For landlords: If you're considering moving into a property you currently rent out, the notice period and compensation requirements should be assessed together. Providing 120 days' notice does not remove the requirement for a genuine intention to occupy the property or the need to follow the applicable legal process.
For tenants: Your entitlement to compensation may depend on the type of notice served and whether the conditions for the exemption have been met. Importantly, this exemption does not automatically extend to notices involving a purchaser who intends to occupy the property.
04 | Changes to Rent-Arrears Hearings
New procedural requirements also affect how tenants may raise certain issues during LTB hearings involving non-payment of rent.
For relevant applications made on or after September 21, tenants who wish to raise certain issues that could otherwise form the basis of their own application must generally meet additional requirements, including paying 50% of the rent arrears claimed when the landlord's application was filed, no later than seven days before the hearing.
For landlords: These changes affect the procedure for addressing certain tenant-raised issues during rent-arrears proceedings. They do not remove a landlord's ongoing obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act.
For tenants: If you receive an application involving unpaid rent, it is important to understand the hearing requirements and deadlines promptly. The new payment requirement concerns raising certain additional issues within that proceeding; it does not, by itself, prevent you from attending the hearing or responding to the landlord's application.
The applicable rules may depend on when the landlord's application was filed, so the effective date and transitional provisions are important.
Additional Changes That Took Effect July 1, 2026
The September amendments follow several earlier changes that are also relevant to Ontario landlords and tenants.
Shorter Deadline to Request a Review of an LTB Order
The deadline to request a review of an LTB order was reduced from 30 days to 15 days for orders issued on or after July 1, 2026.
For both landlords and tenants, this means there is less time to consider whether a review should be requested after an order is issued.
Anyone considering a review should check the date of the order and the applicable LTB rules promptly.
Mandatory Form for Certain Repayment Agreements
The LTB Payment Agreement Form is now mandatory when landlords and tenants enter into a repayment plan under section 206 of the Residential Tenancies Act.
This requirement applies to the specific repayment arrangements covered by that section, rather than every informal payment arrangement between a landlord and tenant.
Both parties should understand the terms of an agreement and the applicable form requirements before signing.
Increased Maximum Fines for Offences
The maximum fines for offences under section 236 of the Residential Tenancies Act have increased to:
$100,000 for individuals, previously $50,000.
$500,000 for corporations, previously $250,000.
These are maximum fines that may result from prosecution for statutory offences. They are not automatic penalties for ordinary rental disagreements and are separate from administrative fines, compensation or costs that the LTB may order.
Where to Find the Official Information
Rental legislation can be detailed, and the rules that apply to one tenancy may not apply in exactly the same way to another.
For the complete amendments, applicable forms and procedural guidance, I encourage both landlords and tenants to consult the following official resources:
Landlord and Tenant Board — Legislative Changes
Read the LTB's June 30, 2026 Operational Update
Ontario Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
Review the Residential Tenancies Act
Ontario Regulation 241/26
Review the September 2026 regulatory amendments
Landlord and Tenant Board — Forms, Filing and Fees
Access official LTB forms and filing information
What These Changes Mean for Ontario Landlords & Tenants
Whether you're managing an investment property, renting your home or considering entering Ontario's rental market, understanding the responsibilities and protections that accompany a residential tenancy is important.
For landlords, these changes may affect how notices, repayment arrangements and certain applications are handled. For tenants, they introduce new timelines and procedural requirements that are important to understand when responding to a notice or participating in an LTB proceeding.
While legislation is an important part of the rental landscape, every property and tenancy comes with its own circumstances. Staying informed and seeking appropriate guidance can help both parties navigate their responsibilities and make informed decisions.
I hope this overview serves as a helpful starting point.
As always, I'm here if you'd like to connect about your property, your next move or anything happening in the Toronto real estate market.
Warmly,
Catherine Mortimer
Broker | Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The application of legislation may depend on individual circumstances, the date a notice or application was issued, and applicable transitional provisions. Landlords and tenants should consult a qualified Ontario legal professional regarding their specific situation.
Photography: Weliton Soranzo / Unsplash
