What to know
- New rental rules under Bill 60 came into effect on Sept. 21, changing several provisions of Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act.
- The changes include cutting the N4 notice period from 14 to seven days and defining three late rent payments within six months as “persistent late payments.”
- Under the new rules, tenants generally need to pay at least 50 per cent of arrears to raise certain issues before the Landlord and Tenant Board.
- ACORN is calling for Bill 60 to be repealed and for the province to introduce a rent grant program for tenants facing unexpected financial emergencies.
- The Ontario government, Housing Minister Rob Flack and Scarborough Centre MPP David Smith were contacted for comment but did not respond before publication.
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Canada is calling on the Ontario government to take back a series of rental rule changes that came into effect earlier this month, saying they put tenants at higher risk of eviction and homelessness.
As of Sept. 21, a series of new rules under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) came into effect, following the Ontario government’s Bill 60: Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025.
The new regulations include:
- Dropping the N4 deadline from 14 to seven days, giving monthly and yearly tenants a shorter deadline to pay outstanding rent to avoid eviction;
- Establishing that three late rental payments within six months qualify as “persistent late payments,” which could also be grounds for starting an eviction;
- Establishing that landlords don’t need to offer compensation to tenants if they notify them of a N12 eviction at least 120 days in advance;
- Determining that tenants need to pay at least 50 per cent of arrears to raise issues in front of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
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Community group raises concerns
As the new rules come into effect, ACORN is raising concerns over what they could mean for tenants in the province.
According to the group, the new rules could make it easier for landlords to evict tenants and accelerate eviction proceedings. At a time when many struggle to make ends meet and deal with increasing cost of living and tariffs impacts, advocates in the group say these rules could make it even more difficult for tenants to get by.
“This legislation that was passed fast tracks homelessness by making it even easier for landlords to [evict] their tenants who are already struggling to afford rent,” Khadijah Al-Maqdisy, Secretary of ACORN’s Scarborough Chapter, told Now Toronto.
“You are in danger to be evicted, to be put on the street, no matter how old you are, no matter how many children you have. One of my neighbours was put on the street with two children. She was just thrown out, and she was living in a tent in a park… It is just terrible.”
In addition to fast-tracking the eviction process for those who aren’t able to meet rent on time, the advocate also points out that by cutting eviction notice periods and establishing that tenants pay 50 per cent of arrears before raising concerns in front of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), the new rules also take away renters’ ability to seek legal or emergency support to fight unreasonable charges or eviction.
ACORN was also one of several groups that called out the current Ontario government for the changes when they were first introduced, claiming that the new rules could eventually lead to higher homelessness rates, as many would struggle to meet rent on time facing eviction, and face challenges finding a new rental afterwards.
However, at the time, the government insisted on the new legislation, with Housing Minister Rob Flack saying the new rules would help restore balance in the landlord-tenant system across the province.
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Group calls on government to repeal Bill 60
Now that the new Bill 60 rules have come into effect, ACORN is calling on the government once more to consider repealing the bill and instead offer more support to tenants that are unable to meet their rent.
Despite going back on the new legislation, the group is urging the government to establish a provincial rent grant program, which they say could provide relief for those who face unexpected emergencies that keep them from paying their rent on time.
“Prices are growing, salaries are not, many people are working minimal wages. And we want them to meet with ACORN, so that we can discuss face to face what we need… We are not demanding something luxurious, we just demand our rights to be met,” Al-Maqdisy said.
In addition to supporting the needs of those facing financial difficulties, the group says establishing a provincial rent grant program could also prevent or decrease homelessness across Ontario municipalities, which it says could also reduce costs for the province.
On Friday afternoon, ACORN delivered a letter to Scarborough Centre MPP David Smith, calling on his office to support a repeal of Bill 60, the establishment of full rental control and the end of above guidelines for rent increases.
The group now plans to continue mobilizing with local politicians to gather support and eventually organize a formal talk to address rental concerns.
“It’s become a dream to buy a house in Canada for the young generations, and to rent a home, it is a nightmare,” Al-Maqdisy added.
Now Toronto reached out to the Premier’s Office, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, and MPP David Smith for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
