To all our landlord and friends below are the changes.
1. Shortened N4 Rent-Arrears Notice Period
- Old Rule: 14 days before landlord can file.
- New Rule: 7 days before filing.
- Impact: Faster application timelines and reduced unpaid-rent risk.
2. Review/Appeal Window Reduced
- Old Rule: 30 days to request review of an LTB decision.
- New Rule: 15 days.
- Impact: Quicker finality and less uncertainty.
3. Restrictions on Raising New Issues at Hearings
- Old Rule: Tenants could raise repair/harassment issues if notice was given 7 days before OR if LTB accepted late notice.
- New Rule: Tenant must give notice 7 days before AND pay 50% of arrears before the hearing.
- Impact: Hearings remain focused; fewer delays.
4. Own-Use Eviction Compensation Changed
- Old Rule: Landlord must pay 1 month’s rent as compensation.
- New Rule: Compensation may be waived if 120 days’ notice is given.
- Impact: Lower cash cost when reclaiming units.
5. Definition of “Persistent Late Payment”
- Old Rule: Vague; adjudicator discretion.
- New Rule: To be formally defined through regulation.
- Impact: More predictable rulings on chronic late payers.
6. Limits on LTB’s Ability to Review/Delay Orders
- Old Rule: LTB could review, postpone, or set aside orders with broad discretion.
- New Rule: Regulation will restrict how and when orders can be reviewed.
- Impact: More certainty once orders are issued.
7. Increased Publication of LTB Decisions
- Old Rule: Limited public access.
- New Rule: Broader publication of decisions and orders.
- Impact: Better precedents and screening information.
8. Province to Prescribe Notice/Eviction Forms
- Old Rule: Standard forms controlled largely by the LTB.
- New Rule: Province will prescribe form content via regulation.
- Impact: Clearer, more standardized notices.
9. Enhanced Enforcement Resources
- Old Rule: Sheriff delays common due to limited capacity.
- New Rule: Increased resources to speed enforcement.
- Impact: Faster execution of eviction orders.
10. Lease-Expiry “Security of Tenure” Proposal (Withdrawn for Now)
- Old Rule: Strong security of tenure; leases convert to month-to-month unless valid termination ground exists.
- New Rule: Government withdrew a proposal to allow tenancies to end purely at lease expiry — but could revisit in future.
- Impact: Status quo remains for now, but landlords should monitor future announcements