How to Legally Respond to an N4 Notice in Ontario (2025 Guide)

Receiving an N4 Notice to End a Tenancy for Non-Payment of Rent is one of the most common issues tenants face in Ontario. Whether the problem is a late payment, a disputed balance, or financial hardship, the N4 triggers specific legal timelines under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). Understanding these timelines is critical because an N4 is often the first step a landlord takes before applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an eviction order.

This article explains what an N4 means, how long you have to respond, what options you legally have, and what steps typically follow. The goal is to give tenants and landlords a clear, accurate, Ontario-specific breakdown of the process so they can take the right action within the required deadlines.

What an N4 Notice Means

An N4 is a formal notice informing a tenant that they owe rent and must pay the full amount by a specific deadline. It does not require the tenant to move out immediately. Instead, it gives a minimum 14-day notice period (or 7 days for monthly/weekly rooming houses) to correct the issue.

Key details included on an N4:

• Total rent arrears claimed
• Deadline to pay
• The earliest date the landlord can file an eviction application (L1)
• A warning that eviction may follow if the balance is not paid

If any required information is missing or incorrect, the N4 can be invalid and dismissed at the LTB.

Your Legal Options After Receiving an N4

Tenants in Ontario have several lawful options after being served an N4:

1. Pay the Full Amount Before the Deadline

If the tenant pays the full arrears before the termination date, the N4 becomes void and the eviction process stops. Partial payments do not cancel the N4.

2. Dispute the Amount Owed

If the tenant believes the arrears are wrong, they should:

• Request a detailed rent ledger
• Communicate the dispute in writing
• Gather receipts or banking records
• Prepare to raise the issue at the LTB if the landlord files an application

3. Negotiate a Payment Arrangement

Payment plans are allowed, but they must be documented in writing. A landlord does not have to accept a plan, but many choose to.

4. Seek Emergency Financial Support

Ontario residents may be eligible for:

• Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF)
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Housing Support
• Local rent bank programs

What Happens If You Do Not Respond to an N4

If the tenant does not pay or resolve the arrears by the N4 deadline, the landlord may file an L1 Application with the Landlord and Tenant Board. This does not mean immediate eviction—tenants still have rights.

The typical process:

1. Landlord files an L1 with the LTB
2. A hearing date is scheduled
3. Both parties present evidence
4. The Board issues an order

In many cases, tenants can still stop the eviction by paying the full arrears and ongoing rent before the LTB issues an order.

If the LTB issues an eviction order, the landlord may then file with the Sheriff's Office to enforce it. Landlords may not personally remove tenants.

Common Mistakes or Misconceptions

• "I have to move out immediately" — Incorrect. An N4 is not an eviction order.
• Partial rent stops the N4 — It does not. Only full payment voids it.
• The landlord can change the locks after an N4 — Illegal. Only the Sheriff can enforce an eviction.
• Tenants can ignore the N4 until a hearing — Ignoring the notice usually makes the situation worse.
• Landlords can file an L1 early — Filing before the N4 deadline makes the application invalid.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

You should consider contacting a licensed paralegal when:

• You believe the N4 is incorrect
• There is a dispute over the rent ledger
• You need help negotiating a payment plan
• The landlord filed an L1 and you must prepare for a hearing
• You worry that eviction is imminent

A legal representative can help protect your rights, gather evidence, prepare submissions, and ensure timelines are met under the RTA.

Sources

1. Ontario Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 — Government of Ontario
   https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17
2. Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario) — Official Forms & Guidelines
   https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/
3. CLEO "Steps to Justice" – Housing Law (Rent Arrears & N4)
   https://stepstojustice.ca/