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Ontario Eviction Moratorium — Is There One in 2026?

By Ontario Eviction Services Team | Updated May 19, 2026

No, there is no eviction moratorium in Ontario in 2026. The pandemic-era eviction ban ended in 2021, and the standard eviction process under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is fully in effect. Landlords can serve notices, file applications with the LTB, and enforce eviction orders through the Sheriff. In fact, Bill 60 has made the eviction process faster in several ways — the opposite direction from a moratorium.

Quick Answers

  • Is there a moratorium in 2026? No. The standard RTA eviction process is fully operational.
  • When did the last moratorium end? Mid-2021 when the LTB and Sheriff enforcement fully resumed.
  • Could another moratorium happen? Unlikely under the current government. Bill 60 focuses on speeding up evictions, not restricting them.
  • What is the current challenge? LTB wait times — 53,000+ case backlog — not a moratorium.
  • Bill 60 change: N4 notice period reduced to 7 days, appeals cut to 15 days, 133 adjudicators now appointed.

Timeline: Ontario Eviction Restrictions 2020-2026

Date Event Impact on Landlords
March 19, 2020 Emergency eviction ban begins All eviction orders suspended; LTB stops new orders; Sheriff stops enforcement
August 2020 Partial LTB resumption LTB begins scheduling hearings; enforcement still suspended in many regions
January 2021 Second pause (stay-at-home order) Most eviction enforcement paused again; only illegal activity/safety exceptions
June 2021 Full resumption LTB and Sheriff enforcement fully operational; massive backlog begins
2022-2023 Backlog processing Wait times of 8-14 months common; backlog peaks
2024 Bill 60 passed N4 reduced to 7 days; appeals cut to 15 days; 50% arrears rule; more adjudicators
2025-2026 Gradual improvement 133 adjudicators; backlog declining from peak; median wait ~3 months

What Are the Current Eviction Rules in 2026?

As of 2026, the eviction process works as follows with no restrictions beyond the standard RTA requirements:

  1. Serve the appropriate notice (N4, N5, N7, N12, N13, etc.)
  2. Wait for the notice period to expire (7 days for N4 under Bill 60, up to 120 days for N13)
  3. File an application with the LTB ($208 filing fee)
  4. Attend the hearing and obtain an eviction order
  5. If the tenant does not leave, file the order with the Sheriff ($400-$600)
  6. Sheriff enforces the eviction

The main challenge in 2026 is not a moratorium but LTB wait times. The backlog from the pandemic era, combined with high application volumes, means hearings still take 3 to 10+ months depending on the application type and region.

How Has Bill 60 Changed the Landscape?

Bill 60 (Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act, 2024) moved in the opposite direction of a moratorium — it made the eviction process faster and more efficient:

  • N4 termination period: 7 days (previously 14 days) — landlords can file with the LTB a full week sooner
  • 50% arrears rule: Tenants must pay 50% of rent arrears before they can raise maintenance issues as a defence at a non-payment hearing — this prevents tenants from using repair complaints to stall the eviction
  • Appeal period: 15 days (previously 30 days) — eviction orders become enforceable 15 days sooner
  • 133 adjudicators: The LTB has expanded from fewer than 100 adjudicators to 133 (81 full-time, 52 part-time), gradually reducing the backlog
  • Streamlined procedures: Some disputes can now be resolved through written submissions without a full hearing

Could Another Moratorium Happen?

While the government retains the authority to implement emergency measures if circumstances warrant, there is no indication that another eviction moratorium is planned. The current provincial government has focused on speeding up the eviction process, not restricting it. Tenant advocacy groups periodically call for moratoriums during housing affordability crises, but political momentum is currently in the other direction.

What If You Delayed Evictions During the Moratorium?

Some landlords who were affected by the pandemic moratorium delayed filing eviction applications. If you are still dealing with problem tenants or unpaid rent:

  • Serve a new N4 for current rent arrears — the N4 now has only a 7-day termination period under Bill 60
  • File an L10 to collect arrears from a former tenant (within the 1-year limitation period)
  • File in Small Claims Court for amounts owed (within the 2-year limitation period)
  • Use a collection agency for debts where court action is not economically practical

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Assuming a moratorium exists: Some landlords delay filing because they mistakenly believe evictions are restricted. They are not. Act now.
  • Using outdated notice periods: The N4 notice period is now 7 days under Bill 60, not 14. Using the old 14-day period is not an error (it is still valid), but it delays your filing unnecessarily.
  • Waiting for the backlog to clear: The backlog is shrinking but will not disappear. File now — every day you wait is another day added to your timeline.
  • Not exploring alternatives: Cash-for-keys negotiations can resolve situations months before the LTB hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an eviction moratorium in Ontario in 2026?
No. There is no eviction moratorium in Ontario in 2026. The COVID-19 pandemic eviction ban ended in 2021, and the standard eviction process under the RTA is fully in effect. Landlords can serve notices, file LTB applications, and enforce eviction orders through the Sheriff.
When did the Ontario eviction moratorium end?
The eviction moratorium effectively ended by mid-2021 when the LTB resumed full operations and Sheriff enforcement of eviction orders resumed across Ontario.
Could Ontario impose another eviction moratorium?
While the government retains emergency powers, there is no indication that another moratorium is planned. The current provincial government has focused on speeding up evictions through Bill 60 rather than restricting them.
What is Bill 60 and how does it affect evictions?
Bill 60 (Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act, 2024) reduced the N4 notice period to 7 days, cut appeals from 30 to 15 days, requires tenants to pay 50% of arrears before raising maintenance defences, and increased the number of LTB adjudicators to 133.
What is the current LTB backlog in 2026?
The LTB has a backlog of over 53,000 cases. The median wait time is approximately 3 months, with 80% of cases falling in a range of 2.7 to 15.7 months. While there is no moratorium, wait times remain a significant challenge for landlords.

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