The Ontario government is proposing legislative changes through Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, aimed at streamlining processes at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and addressing delays that impact both landlords and tenants. Fighting Delays, Building Faster – Technical Briefing Deck. These reforms are intended to improve the speed, fairness, and accessibility of the LTB, ultimately supporting increased rental housing supply.

Here are the key proposed changes relevant to landlords and property managers:

• Limiting New Issues at Rent Arrears Hearings: The proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) would remove a tenant’s ability to raise new issues on the day of a rent arrears hearing if they have not provided prior notice according to LTB timelines. This change aims to reduce lengthy delays in non-payment of rent cases and mitigate financial losses for landlords.

• Reduced Time for Review Requests: The period for parties to request a review of an LTB decision or final order would be shortened from 30 days to 15 days. Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances with the goal of achieving faster resolutions and reducing financial impacts on landlords and tenants.

• Standardization of Termination Notices: The government would gain authority to prescribe the contents of notices of termination, including forms like the N4 (Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent). This is intended to simplify forms and provide clearer language regarding the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

• Changes to Lease Termination Processes and Grounds: Proposed amendments include allowing landlords to set the termination date in an N4 notice 7 days earlier and file an application 7 days sooner for non-payment of rent. For Landlord’s Own Use (N12s) evictions, compensation will no longer be required if 120 days’ notice is provided. The Act also proposes regulation-making authority to define “persistent” late payment of rent and will involve consultation on alternative options for lease agreement expiry, potentially giving landlords more control over occupancy duration after a lease ends.

• Restrictions on Eviction Order Postponement: Future regulations would establish specific factors for LTB adjudicators to consider when determining whether to postpone an eviction order, and would set limits on their ability to do so. The government plans to consult on these circumstances and potentially restrict a tenant’s ability to make a motion to set aside an eviction order to prevent abuse.

Bill 60 has been introduced and is currently proceeding through the legislative process in the Ontario Legislature. The Bill will be subject to further readings, committee review, and potential amendments before it may be enacted into law. We will continue to monitor its progress and provide updates as new information becomes available. If you have any questions about how these proposed changes may affect your properties or require further clarification, please feel free to reach out.

Kristin Ley is a Partner and the Practice Group Leader in the Multi-Residential Housing Group and she can be reached at: