Ontario Bill 60 Changes Eviction Rules and Lease Protections in 2026
Under the new rules, fixed-term leases no longer automatically convert to month-to-month agreements. This gives landlords more freedom to renegotiate terms or end leases altogether. Tenants face faster eviction processes and weaker rent-renewal safeguards.
Ontario renters face significant new rules under Bill 60 effective July 1 and September 2026. Under the new rules, fixed-term leases no longer automatically convert to month-to-month agreements. This gives landlords more freedom to renegotiate terms or end leases altogether.
Key Changes for Ontario Tenants
Eviction timelines have also shortened, meaning tenants have fewer days to respond before landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board. The adjudicator now has the power to require the tenant to pay 50% of the total claimed arrears into the Board or to the landlord before they are permitted to argue maintenance. This 50% reduction in wait time means you can get your case into the Tribunals Ontario Portal a full week earlier. In a system where every day counts, this prevents "arrears snowballing" where a tenant owes three months of rent before you've even had a hearing date.
Protections Still in Place
Although rent control remains in place—capping increases at 2.1% in 2026—the stability it once provided may weaken due to these renewal changes. Your landlord may only raise your rent once every 12 months, must give 90 days' written notice, and cannot exceed the provincial rent increase guideline — set at 2.1% for 2026 — without Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) approval.
What This Means If You're Renting in Ontario
As an expat or newcomer, understand that your lease renewal is no longer automatic. Document all communications with your landlord, pay rent on time, and know how to file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board (tribunalsontario.ca/ltb) if repairs aren't made or your rights are violated. The 7-day N4 notice for non-payment and stricter eviction timelines mean you have less grace period for missed payments than in previous years—budget carefully and communicate early if financial hardship strikes. Immigrants unfamiliar with Ontario law should seek free help from community legal clinics before signing a lease or facing disputes.
Sources
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