Ontario's Bill 60, known as the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, aims to cut red tape in housing and infrastructure development while streamlining landlord-tenant processes. This bill impacts the GTA real estate market by accelerating evictions and changing tenant protections, with important effects for buyers, sellers, investors, and landlords in Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, and Mississauga.
What is Bill 60 and Why It Matters?
Bill 60 is an omnibus legislative package introduced by the Ontario government to speed up home construction, reduce delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), and harmonize municipal infrastructure standards. The goal is to get shovels in the ground faster across the province and address housing supply shortages, a critical issue in the Greater Toronto Area where demand remains strong. By cutting development approval times and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, the government hopes to boost housing inventory, supporting buyers and investors looking for more options in Toronto-area neighborhoods.
Additionally, Bill 60 streamlines the eviction process by amending the Residential Tenancies Act, affecting landlords and renters in significant ways. These changes impact GTA landlords and tenants by shortening eviction notice periods, limiting tenants' ability to raise new issues during rent arrears hearings, and reducing the time allowed for appealing LTB decisions. This fast-tracked eviction process could lead to a quicker turnover of rental units but raises concerns about tenant protections and housing security.
Key Impacts for Landlords and Renters
The amendments in Bill 60 mostly streamline processes and reduce tenant protections, generally favouring the position of landlords.
| Feature | Landlord Impact | Renter Impact |
| Compensation for Landlord's Own Use Evictions (N12) | Positive: No longer required to pay the tenant one month's rent as compensation, provided the landlord gives at least 120 days' notice. | Negative: Loss of the one-month rent compensation, which was intended to help with moving costs and new deposits. |
| Rent Arrears Eviction Notice Period | Positive: Can file an eviction application (N4) with the LTB after 7 days of unpaid rent, shortened from 14 days. This accelerates the eviction process. | Negative: Significantly reduced grace period to pay outstanding rent before a formal LTB application is filed, making it harder to secure funds or assistance in time. |
| Raising Issues at LTB Rent Arrears Hearings | Positive: Tenants are restricted from raising new issues (e.g., maintenance problems, harassment) at a rent arrears hearing unless they pay 50% of the claimed arrears in advance. | Negative: Creates a substantial financial barrier for tenants to dispute an eviction or raise valid concerns about the property's condition or the landlord's conduct during the hearing. |
| Time to Request a Review (Appeal) of LTB Decision | Positive: LTB decisions become final sooner, as the time limit for a tenant to request a review is halved from 30 days to 15 days. | Negative: Less time to seek legal advice and prepare a request to appeal or review an LTB eviction order. |
| Streamlining the Eviction Process | Positive: The changes generally result in a faster, more streamlined eviction and dispute resolution process at the LTB. | Negative: Expedited processes and reduced timelines put pressure on tenants to act quickly, which is especially challenging for low-income or vulnerable renters. |
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Eviction Process Acceleration: Landlords can file eviction applications for unpaid rent after just 7 days instead of 14. Eviction orders become final faster, with tenants having only 15 days instead of 30 to appeal.
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Tenant Compensation for Landlord's Own Use Evictions (N12): Landlords in Ontario no longer have to pay tenants one month's rent compensation when giving 120 days' notice for landlord use.
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Raising Issues at Hearings: Tenants must pay 50% of claimed rent arrears upfront to raise new issues like maintenance or harassment during eviction hearings, creating a financial barrier.
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Streamlined Dispute Resolution: The new rules aim to reduce LTB backlog and processing time, improving case flow but putting pressure on tenants to respond quickly.
For renters in the GTA, these measures may mean faster evictions and fewer protections, potentially increasing housing instability risks, especially for vulnerable populations. Landlords, including many investors in Oakville and Hamilton, benefit from faster resolutions and fewer delays in reclaiming access to their properties.
Municipal and Development Provisions Supporting Faster Building
Bill 60 goes beyond tenant laws and also reforms municipal planning and infrastructure development regulations across Ontario, relevant for GTA builders and real estate developers:
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Streamlining site plan approvals and official plans to accelerate new home construction.
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Modernizing development charge frameworks to reduce disputes and align charges with actual land costs.
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Prohibiting municipalities from reducing vehicle lanes for bike lanes, ensuring consistent road standards.
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Creating harmonized road construction standards to expedite infrastructure projects supporting new neighborhoods.
These provisions help reduce the time and cost barriers for developers, which could increase new housing supply in Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga, benefiting buyers and investors seeking newly built properties.
What GTA Buyers, Sellers, and Investors Should Know
As Bill 60 reshapes Ontario’s rental and housing development landscape:
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Buyers and Investors: Expect potential acceleration in rental unit turnovers and new housing supply, but also the need to consider tenant-landlord relations carefully amid shifting legal protections.
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Sellers: Understanding the new landlord-tenant framework is critical, especially for sellers of rental properties or investment portfolios, as eviction processes now move faster.
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Renters: Stay aware of rights changes and timelines, as quicker LTB actions may affect tenancy stability.
Martin Group, a top GTA luxury listing agent team, leverages this evolving market environment to guide clients navigating these changes in Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, and Mississauga real estate markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Bill 60 affect eviction notice periods in Ontario?
A: The notice period for eviction due to non-payment of rent is halved from 14 to 7 days, speeding up the eviction process.
Q: Are tenants entitled to compensation when evicted for landlord’s own use?
A: No, landlords no longer have to pay tenants one month’s rent compensation if they provide at least 120 days’ notice.
Q: How will Bill 60 impact housing supply in the GTA?
A: By streamlining municipal approvals and modernizing infrastructure regulations, Bill 60 aims to increase housing supply faster, benefitting buyers and investors.
Protect Your Next Move Under Ontario’s New Rental Rules
If you are buying, selling, or investing in the GTA’s vibrant real estate market, understanding Ontario’s Bill 60 and its implications on rental housing and development approvals is essential. Contact Martin Group, your trusted luxury listing agents serving Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, and Mississauga, for expert advice and the latest market insights tailored to your goals.
