New Tenant and Landlord Rules Take Effect in Toronto: What You Need to Know

New rules are coming to town, making it crucial for both tenants and landlords to stay informed. Starting September 21, several changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will impact how things operate in Toronto.

N4 Grace Period Reduced to 7 Days
With the N4 grace period dropping from 14 days to 7 days, tenants now have a much shorter window to pay back owed rent. This means landlords can begin the eviction process sooner, although the actual eviction still requires a hearing and a written decision.

Persistently Late Rent Payments
A tenant’s rent will be labeled as 'persistently' late if they fail to pay rent three separate times within seven days of the due date. This triggers the possibility of an N8, allowing landlords to file for eviction.

Landlord-Use Evictions
Landlords housing family members in rental units must now serve a N12 notice at least 120 days before the scheduled termination date. This gives tenants a fair warning and avoids the one-month compensation requirement.

Tenant-Friendly Changes
Tenants who want to raise issues about their landlord during non-payment eviction hearings will need to pay 50% of unpaid rent at least seven days before the hearing. This ensures a fair process for all parties involved.