Behind on Rent in Ontario: The N4 Notice and What Follows

An N4 notice about unpaid rent can feel like the end of a tenancy, whether you are the tenant who received it or the landlord who gave it. In practice it is the start of a process, and what happens next depends on the dates, the amounts and whether the rent is paid.

This article explains the steps that follow in general terms. The exact notice period, the amount needed to cancel the notice and the termination date are set out in the notice and the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, so check them with the LTB or a lawyer before relying on any date.

What an N4 is and what to check

An N4 is a notice about unpaid rent. What it means for you depends on your situation and on the details written in it, so confirm them with a lawyer if you are unsure. Whether you are the landlord or tenant, read it closely.

• Is your name and the rental address correct?
• Does the amount claimed match your records?
• What date does the notice say applies?
• When and how was it delivered to you?
• Does your rent include any amounts that were paid but not credited?

Mistakes in a notice can matter. A lawyer can tell you whether a mistake is serious in your situation.

Paying to cancel the notice

Tenants often ask whether paying cancels an N4. The amount needed and the deadline depend on the notice and your situation, so confirm both with the LTB or a lawyer before paying. Keep proof of every payment, such as an e-transfer record or receipt, and ask for a written receipt.

A rent deposit cannot be treated as a general source of payment for arrears. It can only be used for the last month's (or week's) rent. A landlord also should not shut off vital services such as heat, electricity, fuel, or hot or cold water to pressure a tenant.

The LTB application and hearing

What a landlord can do if the notice is not resolved depends on the situation, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer. The Tribunals Ontario Portal can be used to submit applications, check file status and upload evidence, and it is encouraged for L1 applications, among others. Applications can also be filed in person at ServiceOntario locations (filing only) or by mail or courier to 15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor, Toronto, ON M7A 2G6.

These times were stated by the LTB and may change, so confirm current wait times.

Preparing your evidence

Under Rule 19 of the LTB Rules of Procedure, a party's evidence must be disclosed 7 days before the hearing and responding evidence 5 days before, unless the LTB orders otherwise. A party who does not comply may be barred from relying on that evidence, and filing evidence does not make it admissible, since the Member decides.

• Landlords: bring a rent ledger, the lease and proof the N4 was delivered.
• Tenants: bring proof of payments, messages about rent and any repair problems you want raised.
• Email hearing evidence to LTB.Evidence@ontario.ca with the file number and hearing date in the subject line, or upload it through the Tribunals Ontario Portal.

After an order: review, appeal and next steps

For orders issued on or after July 1, 2026, a Request to Review must be filed within 15 days, and the fee is $58; orders issued before July 1, 2026 keep the 30-day deadline. The LTB may review a final order only where the party was not reasonably able to participate, there was a serious error, or there is new evidence that could not have been obtained earlier. Only one review request is allowed per order.

An appeal goes to the Divisional Court on a question of law only, within 30 days after the order, and it automatically stays the order until the court decides. The LTB cannot consider a review while that stay is in place unless it is first lifted. Requests to review a consent order are rarely granted unless there is evidence of fraud, coercion or duress.

Free help is available. The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario helps tenants and the Landlord Self-Help Centre helps small landlords, both funded by Legal Aid Ontario. The LTB Contact Centre, at 1-888-332-3234, gives information but not legal advice. For a decision about paying, settling or signing a consent order, speak with a lawyer first.

Frequently asked questions