Ontario Bill 60: What Canadian Real Estate Investors Need to Know

Realist Admin
20 hours ago
3 min read

Ontario's Bill 60, officially titled the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, is one of the most significant overhauls to landlord-tenant legislation in recent memory. For real estate investors and landlords, understanding the full implications of this bill is critical. In this post, we break down what the bill does, what it means for your rental business, how it compares to landlord-tenant rules across Canada, and why effective systems like the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) are essential for your bottom line.

What Bill 60 Changes

Bill 60 introduces sweeping reforms aimed at reducing delays in Ontario's rental system. Key provisions include:

Shortened Rent Arrears Period: Eviction for non-payment of rent can now begin after 7 days (down from 14).
Limits on Tenant Defenses: Tenants must give advance notice and pay 50% of arrears to raise issues at LTB hearings.
Shortened Appeal Timelines: Requests for review or appeals must be filed within 15 days instead of 30.
Removal of Compensation for Some Evictions: Landlords no longer have to pay one month's rent for personal-use evictions if they give 120 days' notice.
Faster Enforcement: More sheriff resources to enforce LTB orders more efficiently.
Public Eviction Records: Potential creation of a public eviction decision database.

Impact on Landlords

For compliant, professional landlords, Bill 60 brings:

Quicker recovery of possession when tenants default.
Reduced financial risk from drawn-out arrears cases (average rental debt is now $16,000 per case).
Greater clarity and efficiency in LTB hearings, with fewer last-minute adjournments.
Cost savings through elimination of some compensation requirements.

However, there are reputational risks amid rising tenant activism. Responsible landlords should use these tools ethically to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Provincial Comparison: Where Ontario Stands

With these changes, Ontario becomes more landlord-friendly. Here's a revised ranking of Canadian provinces from most to least landlord-friendly:

Alberta
Saskatchewan
New Brunswick
Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia
Ontario (post-Bill 60)
Manitoba
British Columbia
Prince Edward Island
Quebec

Ontario moves up from near the bottom thanks to faster eviction timelines and more procedural clarity.

Rental Arrears: The Data Behind the Reforms

$279M in unpaid rent tied up in LTB orders (OpenRoom.ca)
$16,000 average rental debt per eviction case
19.6% of Toronto tenants were behind on rent in 2023 (CMHC)

These figures reveal why a functional eviction process matters. Massive arrears put pressure on rental investors and shrink housing supply when landlords exit the market.

Why a Functional LTB Matters

Professional landlords rely on the LTB as a dispute resolution mechanism. When it's slow or broken, risk increases and investor confidence drops. A well-functioning LTB:

Supports cash flow stability
Encourages ethical property management
Reduces reliance on self-help evictions
Encourages more rental investment and development

Protests and Public Reaction

Bill 60 has sparked major protests from tenant advocates who argue the bill favors landlords at the expense of renters. Premier Doug Ford drew backlash for telling protesters to "get a job," highlighting the tensions. While the political noise is loud, the core issue for landlords is business certainty and fairness.

Final Thoughts

Ontario's Bill 60 is a big step toward rebalancing the landlord-tenant relationship. For investors, it offers tools to manage risk and improve operational efficiency. For the system, it aims to restore credibility. But public sentiment remains divided, and landlords must act responsibly.

Stay informed, document everything, and approach these new tools as part of a long-term, professional strategy. Bill 60 is a signal: Ontario is open to rental investment, but the debate over housing rights is far from over.