Here's what you need to know about Ontario's new rental rule changes

If you're renting here in Ontario, there are some new rules you'll want to keep on your radar, as several changes to the province's rental laws are about to take effect next week.

The upcoming changes are part of the amendments to the province's Residential Tenancies Act made through Bill 60 and Bill 97. While some of the new rules have been in place since July 1, additional changes are set to take effect on Monday, Sept. 21.

Among the changes coming next week are shorter deadlines for tenants to pay overdue rent after receiving an N4 notice, a new definition for what counts as "persistent" late rent payments, and changes to the rules surrounding landlords who want to move into their rental unit.

The changes also introduce new requirements around renovations and what tenants can raise at Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearings.

Here are all the upcoming rental rule changes you need to be aware of.

Less time to pay overdue rent

One of the biggest changes coming on Monday affects the amount of time tenants have to pay rent after receiving an N4 notice.

Currently, a yearly or monthly tenant who falls behind on rent must generally be given at least 14 days to pay the amount owing after receiving an N4 notice, but under the new rules, this deadline will be reduced to seven days.

If a tenant does not pay their rent within that period, the landlord can file an L1 application with the LTB to seek an eviction order and payment of the outstanding rent.

However, receiving an N4 notice doesn't mean a tenant can be removed from their home — the landlord still has to go through the LTB process, including a hearing and a written decision before an eviction can officially take place.

Currently, the LTB says L1 and L9 applications (application to collect rent the tenant owes) are scheduled in about three months on average.

However, with constant backlogs at the LTB, some housing advocates argue that the new requirement could pose greater challenges for tenants.

New definition of "persistent" late rent

As part of the changes, the province is also establishing a clearer definition of what constitutes "persistent" late payment of rent.

Starting Sept. 21, a tenant can be considered persistently late if they fail to pay their rent within seven days of the due date on at least three separate occasions within six months.

The change gives landlords a specific definition when documenting consistent late payments and pursuing an N8 notice (notice to end your tenancy at the end of the term).

More notice to avoid paying compensation

Upcoming rules also affect landlords who want to end a tenancy because a family member, an eligible purchaser, or they intend to move into the unit.

Currently, landlords using an N12 notice generally have to provide at least 60 days' notice and pay the tenant one month's rent as compensation. However, under the new rules, landlords will have two options.

Either they can continue using the 60-day N12 process, or they can provide at least 120 days' notice and avoid paying that compensation.

The new rules also included requirements intended to address bad-faith N12 notices by requiring the landlord, family member, or eligible purchaser to move into the unit within 60 days after the tenant leaves. If they fail to do so, they could be required to compensate the former tenant or face penalties.

Paying arrears

Another significant change applies when a landlord has filed an L1 application over unpaid rent. Tenants can currently raise certain issues at an LTB hearing, including concerns about illegal entry or maintenance.

However, starting Sept. 21, tenants who want to raise these certain issues as part of their defence at an L1 hearing will have to pay 50 per cent of the rent arrears claimed in the application. This payment must be made no later than seven days before the hearing.

New requirements for renovations

The province is also changing the rules around "renovictions," which apply to cases where a landlord forces a tenant to move out of their unit by claiming that it needs major repairs or renovations.

Landlords can use an N13 notice to end a tenancy when they plan to demolish a rental unit or carry out extensive repairs that require a tenant to leave.

This notice generally requires at least 120 days' notice, but starting next week, landlords will be responsible for additional reporting requirements during this process.

Landlords will be required to provide tenants with updates, including the estimated date when the work is expected to be completed, and notice when the unit is ready. If a landlord fails to do this, the tenant may be able to seek compensation through the LTB.