What an N4 notice means in Ontario

This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.

1. Confirm it is Form N4

   The first page should say Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent. A text, an email, or a handwritten note is not an N4. If the form number is N12, N5 or N8, use that guide instead.

2. Read the amount and the termination date

   The N4 lists rent the landlord says is unpaid and a date the tenancy is supposed to end if nothing changes. Check that amount against receipts and e-transfers. Wrong months and illegal charges show up here.

3. Many N4s can be voided by paying on time

   If you pay the rent arrears plus any allowed costs by the date on the form, the notice can become void and the landlord generally cannot use that N4 to file. Keep proof of payment. Paying after an L1 is filed is a different problem.

4. An N4 still is not an eviction

   The landlord usually has to file Form L1 and get an LTB order. Do not assume you must leave on the N4 date. Do not assume the landlord can change the locks that day.

5. If you cannot pay the full amount

   Write down what you can pay and when. That is useful later on an L1, but it does not automatically stop the notice. Get advice from a community legal clinic if the amount is more than you can pay.

Official law on this site: landlord-tenant-act.

Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.