Ontario RTA Changes Coming in 2026 (Bill 60) – What You Need to Know

There are some major updates coming to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) under Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025).

These changes affect timelines, tenant rights, eviction rules, and how the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) handles cases. Below is a clear breakdown of everything you should know.

1. LTB Review Deadline Reduced to 15 Days (July 1, 2026)

Right now, tenants and landlords generally have 30 days to request a review of an LTB order.

Starting July 1, 2026, that window is reduced to 15 days (unless an extension is granted).

This is a major procedural change and means anyone involved in an LTB case will need to act much faster after receiving a decision.

2. Tenant Air Conditioning Rights (New Section 36.1 – July 1, 2026)

A new section is being added to the RTA that gives tenants the right to install a window or portable air conditioner if the landlord does not provide AC.

The rule states that a tenant may install and use an air conditioner unless the landlord is allowed to prohibit it under prescribed circumstances.

Conditions tenants must follow:

• The tenant must notify the landlord in writing before installation

• The AC must be installed safely and securely

• It must not damage the unit or property

• It must comply with municipal by-laws and applicable laws

• Any additional prescribed conditions must be followed

Landlord rights:

Landlords may inspect the unit reasonably to ensure compliance with safety, damage, and legal requirements.

Electricity and rent adjustments:

If the landlord pays for electricity:

• The landlord may increase rent to recover actual AC electricity costs

• If actual cost cannot be determined, a reasonable estimate may be used

• Rent must be reduced if the AC is removed or not used seasonally

• Rent can increase again if usage resumes

Important exception:

If the lease explicitly allows AC without extra charges, then no rent increase is permitted.

3. Faster Non-Payment of Rent Process (September 21, 2026)

The rules for non-payment of rent (N4 notices) are being simplified.

Currently, notice periods differ depending on tenancy type.

Starting September 21, 2026, the rule becomes unified:

• A landlord may issue a termination notice effective no earlier than 7 days after it is given, regardless of tenancy type

This removes the previous distinction between weekly/daily and other tenancies.

The goal is to speed up rent arrears enforcement and reduce delays at the LTB.

4. Changes to N12 Compensation Rules (Effective September 21, 2026)

Right now, landlords must generally provide:

• One month’s rent as compensation, or

• An acceptable alternative rental unit

Starting September 21, 2026, this requirement can be removed if specific conditions are met:

Compensation is NOT required if:

• The N12 notice is given on or after September 21, 2026

• The termination date is at least 120 days after the notice is given

• The termination date matches the end of a rental period or fixed lease term

This effectively means that longer notice periods can replace compensation obligations.

5. Tenant Restrictions in Arrears Hearings (Maintenance Issues)

Another major procedural change affects how tenants can raise maintenance issues during non-payment of rent hearings.

Under the new rules, tenants may be required to pay 50% of the rent arrears claimed before certain maintenance-related issues can be considered by the LTB.

This is intended to prevent delays in arrears cases, but it also changes how tenants can bring forward repair or maintenance complaints in these hearings.

There is also an important legal amendment affecting Section 48.1 of the RTA.

Currently, landlords must:

• Pay one month’s rent compensation, or

• Offer another acceptable rental unit when issuing an N12 notice

Amendment (effective September 21, 2026):

Section 48.1 is amended to add:

“Subject to subsection (2)”

A new subsection is also added stating that the compensation requirement does NOT apply if:

• The notice is given on or after September 21, 2026

• The termination date is at least 120 days after the notice is given

• The termination date is the end of the rental period or lease term

This creates a formal statutory exception where compensation is waived in exchange for longer notice periods.

7. Non-Payment of Rent Notice Timeline (Section 59 Amendment – September 21, 2026)

There is also a major change to Section 59 dealing with non-payment of rent.

Current rule:

• 7 days for daily/weekly tenancies

• 14 days for all other tenancies

New rule (effective September 21, 2026):

The section is repealed and replaced so that:

• A landlord may give a notice of termination for non-payment of rent effective no earlier than 7 days after it is given, for all tenancies

This removes the distinction between tenancy types and standardizes the timeline across the board.

Final Thoughts

Overall, these amendments mark one of the most significant procedural shifts to Ontario’s rental system in recent years. The focus is clearly on speeding up dispute resolution, tightening timelines, and standardizing processes across tenancy types.

For both landlords and tenants, the key takeaway is that preparation and timing will matter more than ever. Small delays that were previously manageable could now have serious consequences under the new timelines, so staying informed and acting quickly will be essential going forward.