Does an N4 mean I'm being evicted?

No. An N4 is only a notice that your landlord intends to seek eviction for unpaid rent. You are not evicted unless the Landlord and Tenant Board issues an order after a hearing, and you can only be physically removed by the Court Enforcement Office (Sheriff) — never by the landlord directly.

How long do I have to pay after getting an N4?

For a monthly or yearly tenancy, the N4 must give you 14 days to pay the full amount owed. For a daily or weekly tenancy, it's 7 days. If you pay everything owed by the deadline, the N4 is void and the tenancy continues as if it was never given.

Can I still stay if I pay after the deadline passes?

Often, yes. Even after the N4 deadline and even after an eviction order, you can generally stop the eviction by paying all the rent owed plus the landlord's filing costs before the Sheriff enforces the order. This is sometimes called 'pay and stay.'

Is the N4 valid if the amount is wrong?

An N4 that overstates the rent owed, miscalculates the amount, or has the wrong dates can be found defective at the hearing. Bring your own payment records. A defective notice can lead the LTB to dismiss the landlord's application.

Can I ask for more time to pay at the hearing?

Yes. At the LTB hearing you can propose a payment plan, and adjudicators can order a repayment arrangement instead of eviction, especially if you can show you're able to catch up. Bringing a realistic proposal and proof of income helps.

Home BlogN4: Non-Payment of Rent in Ontario

OntarioAugust 3, 20267 min read

Got an N4 in Ontario? Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent, Explained

Finding an N4 taped to your door is frightening — but it is not an eviction, and it does not mean you have to leave. Here is exactly what an N4 is, the deadlines that matter, and the several chances Ontario law gives you to keep your home.

First: An N4 Is a Notice, Not an Eviction

The N4 — Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent is the first step a landlord takes when rent is late. It is not a court order, and it does not remove you from your home. In Ontario, only the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) can order an eviction, and only the Court Enforcement Office (the Sheriff) can physically carry one out. A landlord who changes the locks or removes your belongings on their own is acting illegally.

So the most important thing to know is: do not move out just because you got an N4. You have rights and time.

The 14-Day Window — and How to Void the Notice

An N4 for a monthly or yearly tenancy must give you at least 14 days to pay (7 days for a weekly or daily tenancy). Here is the key: if you pay the full amount owed by the deadline, the N4 is automatically void— it's as if it was never served, and your tenancy simply continues.

Check the numbers carefully. The N4 must state the correct rent owed and the correct dates. If it overstates what you owe or miscalculates, it may be defective — keep your own payment records so you can point that out later.

What Happens If the Deadline Passes

If you don't pay within the window, the landlord still can't evict you directly. Their next step is to file an L1 application with the LTB and wait for a hearing. Given the current LTB backlog, that can take months — time in which you can catch up.

You will receive a Notice of Hearing. Attend it. Missing the hearing is one of the most common ways tenants lose cases that were winnable.

Your "Pay and Stay" Right

Ontario gives tenants a powerful backstop. Even after the N4 deadline, and even after the LTB issues an eviction order, you can generally stop the eviction by paying everything you owe — the rent arrears plus the landlord's filing costs — before the Sheriff enforces the order. Pay in full in time, and the eviction is voided and you keep your home.

Always get a receipt or keep proof (e-transfer records, bank statements) for every payment you make toward the arrears.

At the Hearing: Ask for a Payment Plan

If you can't clear the full balance at once, you still have options at the hearing:

Propose a repayment plan. Bring a realistic monthly figure and proof of income; adjudicators can order a plan instead of eviction.
Raise any defences, such as an incorrect N4, rent you actually paid, or serious unaddressed maintenance issues (which you can pursue with a T6).
Get help. Free duty counsel and community legal clinics can assist you on the day and beforehand.

If you're facing an eviction you believe is invalid, our guide on fighting an illegal eviction in Ontario walks through your defences.