Landlords and tenants across Ontario are talking about Bill 60 — but what does it really mean? In simple terms, Bill 60 restructures how rental housing is governed, updated, and enforced across the province. This legislative reform aims to address the evolving needs of the Ontario rental market by providing clearer guidelines, stronger protections, and modernized rules.
In this blog, we’ll explain what’s changing, why it matters, and how both landlords and tenants should prepare for the upcoming shifts in rental law under Bill 60.
What Is Bill 60? A Plain-Language Overview
Bill 60 is a provincial legislative reform to Ontario’s rental housing framework, designed to modernize and clarify key aspects of the rental market. Rather than being a complete overhaul, Bill 60 amends important sections of the Landlord and Tenant Act and other housing regulations to address current challenges.
The bill has a few main objectives:
- Clarity in landlord/tenant rights: Ensures clearer definitions and more predictable rules for both landlords and tenants.
- Modernizing rental rules: Updates outdated regulations to better reflect current market conditions and needs.
- Increasing enforcement and accountability: Strengthens compliance measures and dispute resolution processes.
While Bill 60 brings significant changes, it doesn’t replace the existing legislation entirely — rather, it improves on existing frameworks. To understand the broader context of these changes, check out our post on Understanding the Landlord and Tenant Act in the Greater Toronto Area.
Why the Ontario Government Introduced Bill 60
The Ontario government introduced Bill 60 in response to several challenges currently facing the rental market, including:
- Housing supply pressures: With the province experiencing increased demand for rental properties, the need for clearer, more stable regulations has become crucial.
- Outdated rules: Many rental laws have not kept up with the changing market dynamics, leaving both landlords and tenants unclear about their rights and obligations.
- Tenant protections: Bill 60 seeks to enhance tenant protections, particularly in light of rising rents and growing concerns over eviction practices.
- Dispute resolution bottlenecks: The existing system is often slow, making it difficult for both tenants and landlords to resolve issues quickly.
This bill aims to address these ongoing trends, which are amplified by factors like immigration, increased rent demand, and limited housing supply. For more insights into how immigration trends are impacting Ontario’s rental market, take a look at our blog on Canada’s Immigration Level Plan and its Effects on the Rental Market.
Key Changes Bill 60 Introduces
1. Updated Definitions and Clarity in Rights
One of the first changes brought by Bill 60 is the introduction of clearer classifications and definitions for rental units, leases, and rental terms. This aims to standardize rental agreements and ensure consistency across Ontario’s rental market. Key updates include:
- Modernized lease definitions
- Standardized rental terms to protect both parties
- Clearer classification of rental units, ensuring no ambiguity in the rights of landlords and tenants
2. Stronger Tenant Protections
Bill 60 introduces stronger protections for tenants, addressing common concerns such as unfair evictions and maintenance neglect. These include:
- Enhanced protections against unfair evictions
- Expanded tenant rights regarding repairs and maintenance
- New complaint mechanisms for tenants to report issues more effectively
If you’re looking for guidance on how to navigate tenant conflicts, our blog on Navigating Conflict: A Landlord’s Guide to Handling Tenant Issues offers valuable advice.
3. Greater Enforcement Tools for Regulators
Under Bill 60, regulators will have stronger enforcement tools at their disposal, including:
- Fines/penalties for non-compliance: Landlords who fail to follow the new regulations will face higher penalties.
- Faster adjudication procedures: Disputes between landlords and tenants will be resolved more quickly to reduce delays in resolving issues.
This increased enforcement will also impact property managers, who will need to be more vigilant in ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
4. Rent Control Adjustments
Bill 60 also includes adjustments to rent control policies, expanding rent control to units that were previously exempt and changing how rent increases are calculated. This aims to provide tenants with more stability and predictability in their rental costs.
For more on the impact of rent control on Ontario’s rental market, see our blog on Consequences and Considerations of Properties Exempt from Rent Control.
5. Standardization of Agreements & Records
The new legislation emphasizes the standardization of lease agreements across the province. This includes:
- Standardized lease clauses to ensure fairness and clarity
- Documentation requirements for landlords, ensuring that records are kept in a way that’s consistent with the law
For guidance on using the new lease agreements, check out our post on Using the New Standard Rental Lease Agreement in Ontario.
Practical Impacts on Landlords
Bill 60 will bring several practical changes that landlords must consider:
- Stricter rules for terminations: Evictions will be subject to stricter guidelines, making it more difficult for landlords to terminate leases.
- Stricter documentation requirements: Landlords will need to maintain detailed records and documentation to comply with the new regulations.
- Increased penalties: Failing to comply with the new rules will result in larger fines and legal consequences.
- Faster dispute resolution timelines: With faster adjudication, landlords will see quicker resolutions to disputes, reducing the time and stress associated with tenant issues.
Practical Impacts on Tenants
For tenants, Bill 60 introduces more rights and protections, including:
- Clearer maintenance expectations: Tenants will have a better understanding of what maintenance and repairs they are entitled to.
- Rights around repairs: Bill 60 expands tenants’ rights when it comes to requesting repairs and maintenance.
- Protections against illegal increases: Rent increases will be more closely regulated to prevent illegal hikes.
- Dispute options: Tenants will have access to clearer and faster avenues for resolving disputes.
What Stays the Same
While Bill 60 introduces significant changes, certain aspects of the rental relationship remain the same, including:
- Basic eviction processes
- Rent collection mechanisms
- Tenant screening standards (unless new guidance is issued)
How Property Managers Can Help You Comply
Property managers will play an important role in ensuring compliance with Bill 60, offering services like:
- Negotiating disputes: Handling conflicts between landlords and tenants.
- Preparing correct lease wording: Ensuring leases are compliant with new regulations.
- Documentation management: Keeping records organized and accessible.
- Proactive compliance monitoring: Helping landlords stay ahead of potential legal issues.
For a more comprehensive look at choosing the right property management company, read our blog on Choosing the Right Property Management Company — A Landlord’s Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Bill 60 already law in Ontario? If not, what’s the timeline?
Bill 60 is expected to come into effect in 2026. Be sure to stay updated on its status.
- Does Bill 60 change rent control rules?
Yes, Bill 60 expands rent control to previously exempt units.
- What happens if a landlord doesn’t comply with Bill 60?
Non-compliance could result in fines, penalties, and other legal consequences.
- Can tenants use Bill 60 to break a lease early?
Bill 60 does not provide tenants with the automatic right to break leases, but it does expand tenant protections.
- How will Bill 60 affect property managers?
Property managers will need to ensure stricter compliance with documentation and dispute resolution requirements.
- Do current lease agreements need to be updated because of Bill 60?
Yes, leases may need to be revised to reflect the standardized clauses introduced by Bill 60.
Bill 60 brings significant changes to Ontario’s rental laws, enhancing protections for tenants while imposing new responsibilities on landlords. Both parties should familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues. For landlords looking to navigate these shifts smoothly, partnering with a professional property manager can make all the difference.
For more guidance on how to manage your property in line with the new regulations, consider professional support from a trusted property management company.
