Ontario Bill 60: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know About the New, Stricter Rules

Ontario’s landlord-tenant landscape has changed. With the passage of Bill 60, the province has tightened procedures—particularly for cases involving non-payment of rent. These changes affect how quickly eviction cases move forward and what both landlords and tenants must do to protect their rights.

At Apuntar Legal Services, we believe that understanding the law is the first step to avoiding costly mistakes. Below is a clear breakdown of what Bill 60 means in practice.

ONTARIO BILL 60: Shorter Timelines for Non-Payment of Rent

Under Ontario Bill 60, tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent may now receive as little as seven (7) days’ notice before an eviction application proceeds. This is a significant shift from previous timelines and leaves much less room for delay or inaction.

What this means:Tenants must act immediately upon receiving notice. Waiting—even briefly—can seriously affect the outcome of a case.

Faster Eviction Process for Landlords

Bill 60 allows landlords to start the eviction process sooner, which can result in faster Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearings and decisions. The intent is to reduce backlog and accelerate resolution of rent arrears cases.

What this means:Landlords must ensure their applications are accurate and properly documented, as matters may move forward more quickly than before.

New Requirement: 50% Upfront Payment to Raise Maintenance Issues

One of the most significant changes under Bill 60 affects tenants who want to raise maintenance or repair issues in a non-payment case. To do so, tenants must now pay 50% of the alleged rent arrears upfront.

What this means:Tenants can no longer automatically raise maintenance issues as a defense without meeting this payment requirement. Strategic legal advice is now more important than ever.

Tenant Rights Still Apply—But Deadlines Are Tighter

It is important to be clear: Bill 60 does not remove tenant rights. Tenants are still legally entitled to:

• Safe and habitable housing

• Necessary repairs and maintenance

• Privacy and proper notice of entry

However, the timelines to assert these rights are now much stricter. Missing a deadline can mean losing the opportunity to raise valid legal issues.

Why Legal Guidance Matters More Than Ever

With shorter notice periods, faster hearings, and new procedural requirements, both landlords and tenants face higher legal risk if they proceed without proper guidance. A small misstep—late filing, incomplete evidence, or failure to respond—can have serious consequences.

Apuntar Legal Services assists landlords and tenants across Ontario with:

• Non-payment of rent cases

• Eviction defence and applications

• LTB hearings and procedural compliance

• Rights and obligations under Bill 60

Need Help Navigating Bill 60?

If you are dealing with a landlord-tenant issue or expect one soon, early legal advice can make a critical difference.

📍 Serving clients across Ontario

📞 Contact Apuntar Legal Services to understand your rights and take the right next step

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.