Bill 60 in Ontario. What It Means for Tenants, Landlords and, the Future of Renting in This Province

Today, we are talking about the brand new Bill 60. It’s been mentioned a lot in the news, but not really broken down into how it affects everyone.
If you work in real estate, rent in Toronto, or you are thinking about becoming a landlord, this one matters. It is already shaping how the rental world works in Ontario, and it is causing stress for some people and relief for others.

Let’s break it down simply and honestly. No legal jargon. Just what you actually need to know.

So What Is Bill 60?

Bill 60 is a new law the province passed to speed things up with housing, development and anything related to building and municipal approvals. Inside this bigger package, there are major changes to how the rental system works in Ontario. These changes affect rights, timelines, and what happens when a tenancy goes wrong.

It is a big deal for tenants and landlords.

How Bill 60 Affects Tenants

Here is what changes for tenants.

Shorter timelines to fight evictions.
The appeal window goes from thirty days down to fifteen. That is not a lot of time, especially if someone is stressed or trying to get help.

Harder to challenge evidence.
Tenants may no longer be able to bring new evidence on the day of the hearing. This used to help people who fell behind or showed up unprepared.

Possible requirement to pay part of rent arrears upfront.
To dispute a non payment eviction, tenants may have to pay fifty percent of the arrears before they can make their case. For people who are already behind, this is extremely tough.

No compensation required for certain landlord move in evictions.
Previously, tenants received one month of rent when the landlord or their family member was moving in. Bill 60 removes that protection in some cases.

The result is a system that moves faster but gives tenants fewer tools and less time to defend themselves.

How Bill 60 Affects Landlords

Here is what changes for landlords.

Faster eviction process.
If a tenant stops paying rent or breaks the rules, the steps to resolve the issue can move faster. This is a major change after years of LTB delays.

Less compensation required.
For personal use evictions, landlords may no longer have to provide one month of rent to the tenant. This reduces the cost of reclaiming the property.

More predictable hearings.
Hearings become more structured with fewer surprises. This helps landlords understand exactly what they need to prepare.

Clearer requirements for notices.
With tighter rules, landlords must be precise with paperwork and timelines. One mistake can still cause major problems.

Bill 60 gives landlords more control and speed but also demands more accuracy and good faith.

The Pros for Tenants and Landlords

Here are the potential benefits on each side.

Positives for Tenants

Faster answers at the LTB.
Disputes and maintenance problems could be resolved more quickly.

Clearer rules and deadlines.
Tenants know exactly what is required and when.

Stronger spotlight on bad faith evictions.
A more structured process makes it easier to spot landlords who try to abuse the system.

Better pressure on landlords to maintain units.
Faster hearings can push landlords to fix issues sooner because they cannot rely on long delays.

More transparency overall.
Everyone is pushed to document things properly which helps tenants who stay organized.

Positives for Landlords

Faster resolution when things go wrong.
Less waiting and less financial damage when a tenancy goes off track.

Lower cost for personal use evictions.
Reclaiming a property becomes more accessible for small landlords.

More predictable hearings.
Landlords know the structure and can prepare properly.

Better confidence for investors.
A clearer system may encourage more people to buy rental properties which increases supply.

More accountability for problem tenants.
Chronic non payment or constant rule breaking becomes harder to drag out.

The Cons for Tenants and Landlords

Here are the potential downsides on each side.

Negatives for Tenants

Less protection during eviction.
Shorter timelines can leave tenants scrambling.

Harder to challenge mistakes.
No new evidence at the hearing means fewer opportunities to fix errors.

More financial pressure.
Having to pay half the rent arrears upfront can make defending yourself impossible.

Greater insecurity.
Many tenants feel less stable in their homes.

More competition for rentals.
If more people are forced to move, demand rises and prices can follow.

Negatives for Landlords

Higher risk of paperwork mistakes.
Stricter rules mean landlords must be perfect with procedures.

More documentation needed.
Keeping organized records becomes essential.

More scrutiny on personal use evictions.
Bad faith cases can still lead to penalties.

More communication pressure.
Landlords must stay clear and consistent to avoid misunderstandings.

Higher turnover risk.
More evictions can mean more time and money spent finding new tenants.

What This Means for the Future

Here is where I think the market is heading based on everything we are seeing.

More eviction filings.
A faster system means more landlords will feel comfortable filing when needed.

More tenant movement.
If tenants feel less protected, turnover could increase which adds pressure to an already tight market.

More demand for quality rentals.
Professional landlords and well maintained units will stand out even more.

More responsibility on agents.
People will rely heavily on clear guidance and experience. This includes understanding notices, timing and the risks on both sides.

Bill 60 shifts the rental landscape in a big way. It brings speed and clarity for some and new challenges for others. If you are a tenant or a landlord, the best thing you can do is stay informed and be prepared. Understanding how this affects you can save you time, money and stress.

Tyson’s Take

From a Toronto real estate perspective, Bill 60 is going to change behaviour more than it changes laws.

For landlords, the biggest shift is confidence. Faster timelines and more predictable outcomes will make some small landlords feel more comfortable staying in the rental market or even becoming landlords for the first time. That could help supply over the long term, which Toronto desperately needs. But it also means landlords will be far less tolerant of risk. Strong applications, clean credit, solid employment, and clear communication are going to matter more than ever.

For tenants, the stakes are higher. Shorter timelines and fewer chances to correct mistakes mean renters need to be more organized, more proactive, and more informed. Late rent, missing paperwork, or waiting too long to get help could now have real consequences much faster than before. I don’t think this leads to mass evictions overnight, but it does create more pressure in an already competitive rental market.

From an investor standpoint, Bill 60 may actually make resale rental properties more attractive. A clearer, faster system reduces uncertainty, which is something investors care deeply about. That said, investors who treat housing like a spreadsheet and ignore the human side of renting are still going to run into problems. The best outcomes will come from well-run rentals with realistic rents, clear expectations, and good communication.

Overall, I see Bill 60 pushing the market toward professionalism. Fewer casual mistakes. Less reliance on delays. More emphasis on doing things properly from day one. For people who stay informed and work with experienced guidance, this change can be navigated smoothly. For those who don’t, it could feel overwhelming very quickly.

As with most things in Toronto real estate, the law didn’t suddenly break the system or fix it overnight. It simply raised the importance of knowing what you’re doing.

Need Help Navigating Bill 60 or the Rental Market?

If you are a landlord who wants reliable tenants and a smooth process, or a renter who wants support and clarity, I can help you. I work with clients across Toronto and I handle the entire lease process from screening to paperwork to guidance before and after move in.

You can learn more about my rental services here:
Visit the Lease Services Page

If you prefer a quick conversation, you can always reach me directly at tyson@tysoncr.com. I am always happy to answer questions and make the rental side of real estate easier.

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Ok! That's it for now. Thanks for reading and have a great day! 👋 - Tyson CR

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