How to Evict a Tenant in Ontario (Step-by-Step Guide for GTA Landlords)

Introduction

Evicting a tenant in Ontario isn’t as simple as asking them to leave.

For GTA landlords, the process is highly regulated—and mistakes can cost you months of lost rent and delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).

This guide breaks down exactly how the eviction process works and how to handle it correctly.

Step 1: Identify the Reason for Eviction

You cannot evict a tenant without a valid legal reason.

Common reasons include:

• Non-payment of rent
• Persistent late payments
• Damage to the unit
• Interference with reasonable enjoyment (noise, disturbances)

Each situation requires a different notice form.

Step 2: Serve the Correct Notice

The most common forms:

• N4 → Non-payment of rent
• N5 → Damage or disturbances
• N12 → Landlord or family use

Serving the wrong notice—or filling it out incorrectly—is one of the biggest mistakes landlords make.

Step 3: Wait the Required Notice Period

Each notice comes with a mandatory waiting period.

Example:

• N4 → Tenant has time to pay before further action

If the tenant complies, the eviction process stops.

Step 4: File with the LTB

If the issue isn’t resolved:

• File an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board
• Prepare all documentation:
  • Lease agreement
  • Payment records
  • Communication logs

Step 5: Attend the Hearing

At the hearing:

• Your documentation is everything
• Consistency matters
• Professional communication helps your case

Many landlords lose cases not because they’re wrong—but because they’re unprepared.

Step 6: Enforce the Order

If the LTB rules in your favour:

• The tenant must comply or vacate
• Enforcement may require a sheriff (not the landlord directly)

Common Mistakes GTA Landlords Make

• Serving the wrong notice
• Accepting inconsistent payments
• Poor documentation
• Acting emotionally instead of systematically

Final Thoughts

Evictions in Ontario are a process—not an event.

Handled correctly, they can be resolved efficiently.
Handled incorrectly, they can drag on for months.

For many GTA landlords, the real solution is preventing these situations through better tenant screening and structured processes from day one.