New Tenant and Landlord Rights in Ontario — What Bill C-60 Means for Renters, Landlords, and REALTORS®

Ontario’s rental housing rules are undergoing meaningful change. With the passage of Bill 60, the Province has introduced amendments that directly affect tenant rights, landlord powers, and the way disputes are handled under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.

Bill 60 is a broad omnibus bill that touches many areas of provincial law, including planning, development approvals, and administrative efficiency.
👉 In this article, we will focus specifically on the tenant-landlord changes, what they mean in practice, and how REALTORS®, landlords, and investors should adapt.

What Is Bill 60?

Bill 60 was introduced to address long-standing delays in Ontario’s housing and dispute-resolution systems. One of its major goals is to speed up processes at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), which has faced historic backlogs since the pandemic.

From the government’s perspective, Bill 60 is intended to:

• Reduce procedural delays

• Increase certainty for landlords

• Encourage rental housing supply

• Improve enforcement efficiency

However, these changes also shift the balance of rights and timelines, making it critical for tenants and landlords alike to understand the new landscape.

Tenant Rights in Ontario: The Foundation Still Matters

Before Bill 60 — and still today — Ontario tenants benefit from core protections under the RTA:

✔ Security of Tenure

Tenants can generally remain in a unit indefinitely as long as rent is paid and lease terms are followed — even after a fixed-term lease ends.

✔ Controlled Rent Increases

For most residential units first occupied before November 15, 2018, annual rent increases remain capped by provincial guidelines.

✔ Eviction Only Through Legal Process

A landlord cannot evict a tenant without an LTB order, regardless of the reason.

✔ Right to a Hearing

Tenants have the right to dispute eviction applications, maintenance issues, and illegal rent increases at the LTB.

These rights remain intact — but Bill 60 changes how quickly and easily landlords can enforce certain remedies.

Key Tenant–Landlord Changes Introduced by Bill 60

1️⃣ Faster Eviction Timelines for Non-Payment of Rent

Bill 60 shortens the timeline for landlords to act when rent is unpaid. In some cases, landlords may now apply to the LTB sooner after rent becomes overdue.

Impact:

• 🔺 Landlords gain faster access to enforcement

• 🔻 Tenants have less time to catch up on arrears or seek assistance

2️⃣ Changes to “Landlord’s Own Use” Evictions

Previously, landlords terminating a tenancy for personal or family use were required to:

• Provide compensation equal to one month’s rent, or

• Offer another acceptable rental unit

Under Bill 60, this compensation requirement may be reduced or eliminated if longer notice is given.

Impact:

• 🔺 Increased flexibility for landlords

• 🔻 Reduced financial protection for displaced tenants

3️⃣ Stricter Notice and Form Requirements

Bill 60 reinforces the requirement that only LTB-approved forms can be used for eviction notices and termination proceedings.

Impact:

• Technical errors can invalidate applications

• Proper documentation becomes even more critical

4️⃣ Limits on Issues Raised at Hearings

In certain non-payment cases, tenants may now be:

• Required to pay a portion of arrears before raising other issues, and

• Restricted from introducing new arguments without prior disclosure

Impact:

• Faster hearings

• More procedural responsibility on tenants

• Greater emphasis on preparation

5️⃣ Shorter Review and Appeal Windows

The time allowed to request reviews or challenge LTB decisions may be shortened, reducing the margin for error.

What This Means for Landlords and Rental Property Investors

For landlords, Bill 60 represents a clear expansion of enforcement power, but also higher expectations for compliance.

Advantages for Landlords

✔ Faster eviction pathways
✔ Reduced backlog delays
✔ Clearer procedural rules

New Risks

⚠ Incorrect notices can still derail cases
⚠ Failure to follow strict timelines may void applications
⚠ Poor record-keeping increases legal exposure

Bottom line: Bill 60 rewards prepared, compliant landlords — and penalizes sloppy ones.

What REALTORS® Need to Know (Critical)

REALTORS® representing landlords, tenants, or investors must understand that Bill 60 changes:

🔹 Listing Advice

• Faster eviction does not mean instant vacancy

• Units with problem tenancies still carry risk

🔹 Buyer Due Diligence

• Existing tenancies must be reviewed carefully

• “Vacant on closing” assumptions require stronger verification

🔹 Investor Strategy

• Cash-flow planning should factor shorter but stricter enforcement timelines

• Improper evictions can still delay resale or refinancing

🔹 Disclosure Obligations

• Misrepresenting tenancy status can expose REALTORS® to liability

REALTORS® who understand these changes add real value to investor clients.

What Tenants Should Be Aware Of

Tenants should understand that:

• Eviction timelines may move faster

• Delays at the LTB may be shorter

• Missing deadlines can have serious consequences

However, tenants still retain:
✔ Protection against illegal eviction
✔ Maintenance and habitability rights
✔ Human rights protections
✔ The right to legal process

Early action and proper documentation are now more important than ever.

Why These Changes Matter for Tax & Compliance Planning

For landlords and investors, legal outcomes directly affect:

• Rental income stability

• Vacancy loss

• Capital planning

• Tax reporting

Incorrect handling of tenancy issues can lead to:

• Unexpected losses

• Delayed dispositions

• CRA scrutiny where income reporting becomes inconsistent

Final Takeaway

Bill 60 marks a shift — not a removal — of tenant protections.
It accelerates processes, strengthens landlord enforcement, and raises the bar for compliance on all sides.

For:

• Tenants: timelines matter more than ever

• Landlords: precision and documentation are essential

• REALTORS®: understanding these changes is now a professional necessity

Further articles will deep-dive into specific eviction types, notice requirements, and real-world scenarios under Bill 60.