Received an N4 Notice in Ontario? What Tenants and Landlords Should Do Next

An N4 (Notice to End your Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent) is the form an Ontario landlord uses to start the eviction process when rent is unpaid. It is a notice, not an eviction order. Whether you are the tenant who received one or the landlord who served one, the next few weeks matter.

What an N4 does and does not mean

The N4 sets a termination date. For a monthly tenancy, that date must be at least 14 days after the notice is given (7 days for daily or weekly tenancies). If the tenant pays all the rent owing before the termination date, the notice becomes void. A tenant does not have to move out on the termination date: only the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) can order an eviction, and only the Sheriff can enforce one.

If you are a tenant

• Check the math. The amount claimed must be rent only, not damages, utilities or late fees.

• Pay in full before the termination date if you can, and keep proof of payment.

• If the landlord files an L1 application, attend the hearing. You can ask the LTB for a payment plan or relief from eviction.

• If you want to raise repair or maintenance problems at the hearing, you must give advance written notice within the deadline in the LTB Rules.

If you are a landlord

• Errors in the rent calculation, termination date or service can make the notice invalid and cost you months. Double-check before serving.

• If the rent is still unpaid after the termination date, you can file an L1 application with the LTB.

• Bring a clear rent ledger and a certificate of service to the hearing.

Get help early

Merisca Legal Services is a licensed paralegal firm in Thornhill that represents both landlords and tenants at the Landlord and Tenant Board across York Region and the GTA. Call 647 818 3005 or book a consultation online. This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation.