Ontario N4 Eviction Notice Period Cut to 7 Days Starting September 21
Ontario renters will have only one week to pay missed rent before landlords can file eviction, down from 14 days. The change takes effect September 21 under Bill 60 reforms and carries major implications for newcomers without emergency savings.
Starting September 21, 2026, the N4 deadline is being cut in half, with tenants having only seven days to pay their missed rent until the landlord is allowed to file an L1. Tenants who miss rent will have less time to pay: the N4 deadline for monthly and yearly tenants will drop from 14 days to seven days. Three late payments within six months could qualify as "persistent late payments" if the tenant fails to pay within seven days of the rent being due.
Key Protections That Remain
- If a tenant pays the full amount of arrears before the 7-day termination date, the N4 notice immediately becomes void, and the landlord cannot proceed with an eviction application
- A landlord cannot immediately remove a tenant from the property after seven days. The landlord must still follow the legal eviction process, and the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) remains responsible for issuing an eviction order where one is required
- Rent increase limits remain at 2.1% for 2026
N12 compensation rules are changing in some circumstances, while new provisions are intended to strengthen protections against bad-faith own-use evictions. New rules will also affect what tenants must do to raise certain issues during non-payment eviction hearings, while additional requirements are coming for renovictions.
What This Means for Newcomers
If you are renting in Ontario and experience an unexpected job loss or income disruption, you now have only seven days to arrange payment after receiving an N4 notice. Build an emergency fund covering at least two weeks of rent if possible, and document all your rent payments carefully. If you receive an N4, contact your landlord immediately—payment voids the notice and stops the eviction process. New immigrants without a Canadian credit history or local financial ties should prioritize financial stability and consider income-protection insurance if available through your employer.
Sources
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