When can I serve an N4 after rent is late?

You can serve an N4 the day after rent was due and unpaid. There is no grace period beyond the due date itself.

How many days notice does an N4 require?

If rent is paid monthly/bi-weekly/yearly, the termination date must be at least 14 days after the notice is given. If rent is paid daily or weekly, it must be at least 7 days. When counting days, do not include the day you served the notice.

What happens if the tenant pays after receiving an N4?

If the tenant pays all arrears (and any additional rent that became due after receiving the notice) before the landlord files the L1 application, the N4 is void and the tenant does not have to move out.

Can I change the locks if rent is unpaid?

No. In Ontario, only a Sheriff can enforce an eviction after an LTB order. Self-help evictions (lockouts, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal and can create serious liability.

Are Bill 60 changes in effect for N4 timelines?

Some Residential Tenancies Act amendments in Bill 60 require proclamation (a day named by order) to come into force. Until official updates and current LTB forms confirm a change, use the current rules and forms.

Ontario Guides • General information (not legal advice)

N4 Eviction for Non-Payment — Ontario (2026)

A calm, step-by-step explanation of the N4 process: notice periods, service rules, what happens next, and the mistakes that derail cases.

Generate a rent receipt (free)

Receipts + a clean ledger matter if you ever need to prove arrears.

Important disclaimer

This guide is general information only and not legal advice. If you need advice for your specific situation, consult a licensed paralegal or lawyer experienced in Ontario landlord-tenant matters.

1) What is an N4?

The N4 is the LTB notice used when rent is unpaid. It’s not an eviction by itself — it’s the formal first step that can lead to an LTB application if arrears remain.

2) When can it be served?

Serve the N4 the day after rent was due and unpaid. (No grace period beyond the due date.)

3) Notice period basics

Monthly/bi-weekly/yearly rent: at least 14 days
Daily/weekly rent: at least 7 days
When counting days, don’t include the day you served the notice.

4) What happens next (high-level)

Serve the N4 using a valid service method.
Tenant can pay arrears to void the notice (depending on timing).
If arrears remain after the termination date, landlord may file an L1 application with the LTB.
LTB schedules a hearing; outcomes vary by facts and evidence.
If an eviction order is granted, enforcement is by the Sheriff — not the landlord.

Bill 60 note

Some Residential Tenancies Act changes in Bill 60 require a proclamation (a day named by order) before they take effect. Until official updates and current LTB forms confirm a change, follow the current forms and rules.

5) Common mistakes that blow up an N4/L1

Wrong arrears amount

The arrears must be calculated precisely and match your ledger.

Including non-rent charges

N4 is for rent only — not utilities, damages, fees, etc.

Incorrect termination date

Miscounting the notice period is a frequent reason for dismissal.

No proof of service

Record when/how you served the notice in case it’s challenged.

Documentation helps (even before you file anything)

Clean receipts + a consistent payment ledger reduce mistakes and make your arrears numbers easier to prove.

Use the free receipt generator

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