Got an N4 for Unpaid Rent? A Tenant’s Step-by-Step Guide
Received an N4 notice from your landlord for unpaid rent in Ontario? This guide explains the legal requirements the landlord must meet, four separate windows...
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be evicted immediately after receiving an N4 notice?
No. An N4 is not an eviction. It is a notice that starts the process. The landlord must file an L1 application with the LTB, the Board must hold a hearing, and only after the Board issues an eviction order can the Sheriff enforce it. You have multiple opportunities to stop the process by paying the arrears.
How do I void an N4 notice?
Pay all rent owing (including any rent that has come due since the N4 was served) before the termination date on the notice. Under s. 59(3) of the RTA, the notice is automatically void once full payment is made. You can also void the process at later stages by paying all arrears plus the landlord’s filing fee.
What if the N4 has the wrong amount on it?
An N4 that overstates the rent arrears — for example, by including charges that are not rent under the RTA — may be defective. Raise this at the hearing. The Board may dismiss the landlord’s application if the notice is materially defective. Even if the Board allows the application to proceed, you only owe the correct amount.
Can I raise maintenance issues when my landlord sues for unpaid rent?
Yes. Section 82 of the RTA allows tenants to raise maintenance and repair issues at an L1 hearing. If the Board finds the landlord breached its maintenance obligations, it can order a rent abatement that reduces the arrears you owe. Give the landlord and Board written notice at least 7 days before the hearing.
What is the N4 notice period changing to in 2026?
The Ontario government has announced amendments reducing the N4 notice period from 14 days to 7 days for all tenancies, effective September 21, 2026. Until that date, the current 14-day notice period applies.
Contact Legal Assist
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