Bill 60 Is Finally Here — Well, Almost. Part I
On November 27, 2025, Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025[1] (“Bill 60”) received the Royal Assent. Among other Acts, Bill 60, under its Schedule 12, sought to amend the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006[2] (“RTA”) on various issues. However, none of those amendments came into force in 2025. In fact, the province did not even announce a start date for the listed changes. As a result, the proposed changes did not become law, and landlords waited without a clear timeline. Until now.
July 1, 2026 is the date on which some, but not all, items within Bill 60 will change the RTA. In this article, the landlord’s legal team at Gobin & Leyenson LLP identifies one of the changes that become law on July 1, 2026, and explains how it affects residential landlords in Ontario. Follow us on social media to learn more and empower yourself as a residential landlord to make informed decisions about your rental investment property. Read our other articles HERE.
Shortened deadline to file Request to Review an Order, as of July 1, 2026
Understanding Landlord and Tenant Board Orders
Most residential tenancy disputes in Ontario proceed to a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board (“LTB”). The Statutory Powers Procedure Act (“SPPA”) applies to all proceedings before the LTB with a few exceptions.[2] Upon conclusion of the hearing on the merits, a member of the LTB issues an order, and more often than not, such order is a final and a binding order.[3] The SPPA permits the LTB, if it considers it advisable and if the rules of the LTB permit it, to review all or part of its own decision or order. In considering the order, the LTB may either confirm, vary, suspend, or cancel the decision or the order.[4] The review of the order must take place within a reasonable time, after the decision or the order is made.[5]
Current Rules for Reviewing LTB Orders
Most residential tenancy disputes in Ontario proceed to a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board (“LTB”). The Statutory Powers Procedure Act (“SPPA”) applies to all proceedings before the LTB with a few exceptions.[6] Upon conclusion of the hearing on the merits, a member of the LTB issues an order, and more often than not, such order is a final and a binding order.[7] The SPPA permits the LTB, if it considers it advisable and if the rules of the LTB permit it, to review all or part of its own decision or order. In considering the order, the LTB may either confirm, vary, suspend, or cancel the decision or the order.[8] The review of the order must take place within a reasonable time, after the decision or the order is made.[9]
The Two-Stage Review Process
The current review process involves a two-stage process. At the first stage, upon receiving a Request to Review an Order, the LTB will review the request and determine whether or not the second stage is warranted. At the second stage, the LTB will hold a Review Hearing, allowing the parties to make submissions as to why the Review is to be granted. If the Review Hearing is scheduled, the order which is being reviewed may be stayed until the Review Hearing is decided. If the Review Hearing is decided in favour of the requesting party, the original order may be cancelled, and a new hearing on the merits of the original application may be held.
There are a large volume of factors and issues to be considered in relation to Request to Review an Order, which will be discussed by our residential landlord team in another article.
Deadlines for Requesting a Review
Currently, a Request to Review an Order must be made within 30 days of the order, which is subject to the review, being issued[10]. A request to review an amended order, must be made within 30 days of the amended order being issued.[11] If the requesting party wishes to make such a request beyond the 30-day deadline, the must also file a request for an extension of time and provide reasons for the delayed request.[12]
What Changes on July 1, 2026?
Bill 60 allows certain conditions or limits to be set later. These will affect the LTB’s power to review its decisions. More importantly, starting July 1, 2026, Bill 60 shortens the time for requesting a review. If a landlord wants the LTB to review an order, they must file the request within 15 days. This is down from 30 days. The 15-day period starts from the date the decision or order is issued.
The LTB can extend this deadline. They will do so if they find it fair and appropriate. The new 15-day deadline only applies to decisions or orders made on or after July 1, 2026.
Key Takeaway for Landlords
Landlords should get legal advice if they want to ask for a review, both before or after July 1, 2026. The deadline will be much shorter, just 15 days from when the LTB issues the decision. This means landlords must act quickly. Prompt action will be more important than ever before.
Landlord legal team at Gobin & Leyenson LLP invites you to follow us on social media, and stay updated on the changes and new cases which impact residential landlords in Ontario. This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Contact Gobin & Leyenson LLP for advice specific to your situation.
Footnotes
[1] S.O. 2025, c. 15 – Bill 60
[2] RTA, s. 184(1)
[3] RTA, s. 209(1)
[4] SPPA, s. 21.2
[5] SPPA, s. 21.2(2)
[6] RTA, s. 184(1)
[7] RTA, s. 209(1)
[8] SPPA, s. 21.2
[9] SPPA, s. 21.2(2)
[10] Rule. 26.4, Rules of Procedure, Updated January 1, 2026, Landlord and Tenant Board
[11] Rule 26.5, Rules of Procedure, Updated January 1, 2026, Landlord and Tenant Board
[12] Rule 26.6, Rules of Procedure, Updated January 1, 2026, Landlord and Tenant Board