Bill 60 in 2026: Which RTA Changes Are Actually in Force?
Bill 60 passed four months ago. The headlines moved on. But here is the part most landlords missed: the key changes to the Residential Tenancies Act have not actually taken effect yet.
The Gap Between Passing and Implementing
Ontario passed Bill 60 on November 24, 2025. Media coverage was extensive. Landlord groups cheered the shorter timelines. Tenant advocates raised alarms. Everyone talked about it as though the changes were immediate.
They were not. And as of March 2026, the Residential Tenancies Act amendments in Bill 60 are still not in force.
This is not unusual in Ontario legislation. A bill can receive Royal Assent - meaning it has officially passed - but individual sections often require a separate "proclamation" by the Lieutenant Governor before they actually take effect. The government decides when each section becomes operational, and that timeline depends on whether the bureaucratic machinery is ready.
For Bill 60, Tribunals Ontario has stated publicly that it is preparing for implementation "in coordination with the Government of Ontario." Updated procedures, new forms, adjudicator training, IT system changes - all of that needs to happen before the switches get flipped.
What This Means Right Now
If you have been operating under the assumption that Bill 60 changes are already live - using a 7-day N4 timeline, skipping N12 compensation, or citing the new 50% rule - stop. The old rules still apply. Filing notices or applications based on Bill 60 timelines that are not yet in force could void your paperwork.
What Is Still the Same (For Now)
Here is a clear status check on every major Bill 60 change as of March 2026:
N4 notice period reduced to 7 days
Status: Not in force
Still 14 days. Use the current N4 form and timeline.
50% arrears threshold for counter-claims
Status: Not in force
Tenants can still raise any issues at non-payment hearings.
Evidence disclosure requirements
Status: Not in force
Current hearing procedures apply. No mandatory pre-hearing disclosure.
Appeal window reduced to 15 days
Status: Not in force
Still 30 days to appeal an LTB decision.
N12 compensation removed
Status: Not in force
You must still pay one month rent compensation for personal use evictions.
Persistently late rent definition
Status: Not in force
The new regulatory definition under subsection 58(1.1) has not been published.
Why the Delay?
Implementing Bill 60 is not just about flipping a switch. The LTB needs to:
Update all affected forms
The N4, L1, and other forms need revised timelines and language. Every form the LTB uses has to match the new rules exactly.
Retrain adjudicators
LTB adjudicators need to understand and consistently apply the new procedures. The 50% arrears rule alone changes how non-payment hearings are structured.
Update IT systems
The LTB portal, filing systems, and case management tools all need modifications to enforce new timelines and track the changes.
Publish new rules of procedure
The LTB Rules of Practice need amendments to reflect disclosure requirements, hearing procedures, and appeal timelines.
Draft regulations
Some Bill 60 provisions, like the definition of persistently late rent, require regulations that have not yet been published.
What You Should Do Right Now
Keep Using Current Rules
This is the most important takeaway. Every N4 you serve should use the 14-day timeline. Every N12 should include one month compensation. Every appeal should be calculated on a 30-day window. Until the LTB announces otherwise, the pre-Bill 60 rules govern.
Prepare for the Switch
The changes will come. When they do, the transition will likely be swift - an announcement from Tribunals Ontario, updated forms posted online, and a specific effective date for applications filed after that point.
Smart landlords are using this gap to get ready:
Organize your evidence systems now
When disclosure rules take effect, you will need to produce organized evidence bundles on a deadline. Set up your filing system before it becomes mandatory.
Tighten your rent tracking
The 50% arrears threshold means exact numbers matter. Get your rent ledger airtight so you can calculate the threshold instantly when the rule kicks in.
Review your N4 process
When the 7-day window arrives, speed matters more. Make sure you can serve an N4 the day after rent is missed, with zero errors.
Stay subscribed to LTB updates
Tribunals Ontario publishes implementation notices on their website. Check tribunalsontario.ca/ltb regularly, or bookmark the law and rules page.
Watch for the Announcement
When the proclamation happens, it will be significant news. The LTB will publish updated forms and procedures. Legal organizations will send alerts. We will update our Bill 60 Guide and this page immediately when it happens.
The 2026 Rent Increase Guideline
While Bill 60 implementation is pending, one thing that is confirmed: the 2026 Ontario rent increase guideline is 2.1%. This applies to most residential units first occupied before November 15, 2018. Units occupied after that date remain exempt from rent control.
The Bigger Picture
The delay between passing Bill 60 and implementing it has created confusion. Some landlords are already acting on rules that do not exist yet. Some paralegals are advising clients based on timelines that have not kicked in. And tenants are understandably anxious about changes they have been told are coming.
Clarity will come when the proclamation lands. Until then, the responsible approach is straightforward: follow the rules that are actually in force, prepare for the rules that are coming, and do not make assumptions about when the switch will happen.
The LTB backlog has not gone anywhere. Hearings still take months. The procedural improvements in Bill 60 are meaningful, but they only matter once they are operational. For now, patience and preparation are the strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Bill 60 Complete Guide
Full breakdown of all Bill 60 changes
How to Issue an N4
Current 14-day timeline and process
Evidence Guide
Prepare for upcoming disclosure requirements
Arrears Calculator
Calculate exact amounts for the 50% threshold
2026 Rent Increase Guide
Official 2.1% guideline and N1 requirements
World Cup 2026 STR Guide
Short-term rental rules for the tournament
Ready for Bill 60 - Whenever It Lands
OntarioLandlord tracks your rent, organizes evidence, and generates compliant notices using the rules that are actually in force. When Bill 60 takes effect, we will update automatically. No guesswork on your end.
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