What to Do the Moment You Receive Any Eviction Notice

On this page

Why the first few hours matter
Step one: read the entire notice, slowly
Step two: identify the notice type and the deadline
Step three: do not move out just because you received it
Step four: start a file the same day
Step five: decide how you're going to respond
Step six: line up support before the deadline hits
What generally happens after this point

Why the first few hours matter

Getting a notice from a landlord — whether it's taped to your door, slipped under it, emailed, or handed to you directly — tends to trigger one of two reactions: panic, or ignoring it and hoping it goes away. Both reactions can work against you. Ontario's eviction process under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) is built around deadlines and specific forms, and a tenant's options generally narrow the longer those early days pass without action. Nothing in a notice, on its own, ends your tenancy. A notice is a step a landlord takes before they can even apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), and in most cases the LTB must still hold a hearing and issue an order before a tenant can lawfully be required to leave. Knowing that distinction is the single most useful thing a tenant can carry into the rest of this process.

Step one: read the entire notice, slowly

Before reacting, read the whole document, not just the bolded heading. Ontario notices use standard numbered forms — N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N11, N12, N13, and others — and each one is tied to a specific alleged reason, whether that's unpaid rent, a lease violation, safety concerns, or a landlord's stated plan to move in or renovate. Check the date the notice was signed, the date it says you must act by or move out by, and whether it names a specific dollar amount, a specific incident, or a specific plan. Typos, wrong unit numbers, incorrect rent amounts, or notice periods that look too short compared to what the form requires are common, and they can matter later if the notice is ever challenged. Keep the original document; do not just glance at it and set it aside.

Key point

A notice is not an eviction order. In most cases, the landlord must still apply to the LTB and a hearing must take place before anyone can be lawfully required to move out. Our eviction timeline tool walks through how the stages generally unfold after a notice is served.

Step two: identify the notice type and the deadline

Different notices carry very different timelines and different paths forward. An N4 for unpaid rent generally gives a short window and can potentially be voided if the full amount owed is paid within the time the law allows. An N5 for alleged lease violations often gives a tenant a chance to correct the problem within a set period. Notices like the N12 or N13, which rest on a landlord's stated intentions rather than a tenant's conduct, work differently again. If you're unsure which notice you have or what it specifically requires, our guides to the N4 notice, the N5 notice, and the N12 notice, along with the broader comparison in N4 vs. N5: what's the difference, are a good starting point for figuring out exactly what you're looking at and what deadline actually applies to you.

Step three: do not move out just because you received it

One of the most common and most costly mistakes tenants make is moving out the moment a notice arrives, assuming it's legally required. In most cases it is not. A notice starts a process; it is generally the LTB hearing and any resulting order — not the notice itself — that determines whether and when a tenant must leave. Moving out early can mean giving up rights you didn't need to give up, including the chance to dispute the notice, negotiate, or raise your own issues (such as unresolved repairs) at a hearing. That said, this cuts both ways: ignoring a notice entirely and assuming nothing will happen is also a mistake, since missing deadlines to respond or to pay arrears can close off options that were otherwise available. The safer posture is neither panic nor denial — it's finding out, specifically, what your deadline is and what your realistic choices are before you do anything irreversible.

Step four: start a file the same day

Whatever else you do, start keeping records immediately. Make a copy or photograph of the notice itself, front and back, and note exactly how and when you received it. From this point forward, keep every piece of related communication — texts, emails, letters — in one place, and write down conversations with your landlord soon after they happen, including the date, who said what, and any witnesses. If the notice relates to rent, gather your payment records: bank statements, e-transfer confirmations, or receipts. If it relates to an alleged lease violation, gather anything that supports your side of events. This habit costs very little time and can make an enormous difference later, whether you end up negotiating directly with your landlord or presenting evidence at an LTB hearing.

Step five: decide how you're going to respond

Your options generally depend on the notice type, but they usually fall into a few categories: correcting the problem the notice describes (such as paying arrears in full, where the notice type allows that), negotiating directly with the landlord, preparing to dispute the notice or any application at the LTB, or, in some circumstances, deciding that moving out on your own terms and timeline makes the most sense for your situation. None of these choices should be made blindly. If the landlord has in fact applied to the LTB, you will generally receive separate notice of the hearing date, and you are entitled to attend, bring evidence, and respond. Our fighting an eviction wizard and LTB hearing guide can help you think through which path fits your circumstances before you commit to one.

Step six: line up support before the deadline hits

You do not need to navigate this alone, and in most cases you shouldn't try to figure out every detail from scratch under time pressure. Community legal clinics, tenant advocacy organizations, and paralegals who focus on LTB matters can often review a notice quickly and tell you, in plain terms, whether it appears valid and what your realistic options are. Reach out sooner rather than later — many of these resources are busiest right before hearing dates, and getting a second set of eyes on a notice while you still have time to act is far more useful than getting one the night before a hearing. If cost is a concern, free and low-cost help does exist for tenants facing eviction, and it's worth exploring before assuming you have no choice but to go it alone.

What generally happens after this point

If the issue isn't resolved informally, the landlord generally must file an application with the LTB and the Board must schedule a hearing. You will typically receive notice of that hearing with enough time to prepare, gather evidence, and decide whether to attend with representation. Nothing about this process moves instantly, and tenants generally retain meaningful rights throughout it — including the right to raise their own concerns about the rental unit, such as outstanding repairs, at the hearing itself. The period between receiving a notice and any hearing is exactly the time to get organized, not to assume the outcome is already decided.

Common mistake

Assuming a notice is "basically an eviction" and skipping straight to packing. In most cases, a tenant who stays organized and responds within the applicable deadlines keeps far more options open than one who reacts on instinct alone.

This article provides general information about Ontario landlord and tenant law. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed paralegal or lawyer, or contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does receiving a notice mean I have to move out right away?

No. In most cases a notice is only a step before the landlord can apply to the LTB, and it's generally the Board's hearing and any resulting order — not the notice itself — that determines whether and when a tenant must leave.

How do I figure out what kind of notice I received?

Ontario notices use standard numbered forms, generally printed near the top of the page (such as N4, N5, N12, or N13). Each form corresponds to a specific alleged reason and carries its own timeline.

What should I do first after reading the notice?

Make a copy of the notice, note the date and the deadline it states, and begin a simple file for related records. This generally takes only a few minutes and preserves your options later.

Can I ignore the notice if I think it's wrong or unfair?

Generally no. Even a notice you believe is invalid should be addressed, because missing a related deadline can narrow your options. It's usually better to document why you think it's wrong and raise that at the appropriate stage.

Will I get another chance to respond after the notice itself?

In most cases, yes. If the landlord applies to the LTB, you will generally receive separate notice of a hearing date, and you can attend, bring evidence, and respond to the application.

Should I talk to my landlord directly after receiving a notice?

That's a personal decision, but if you do, keep a written record of what was said. Some issues can be resolved informally, though any agreement about rent or move-out dates is best put in writing.

What if the notice has errors, like the wrong rent amount?

Note the error and keep the notice. Errors can sometimes be relevant if the notice or a later LTB application is challenged, though not every error automatically invalidates a notice — this is worth discussing with an advisor.

Can I raise repair problems if my landlord is trying to evict me?

Generally yes. Tenants can typically raise their own issues, including unresolved maintenance problems, at an LTB hearing, though the Board decides how much weight to give any particular issue.

Where can I get free help reviewing a notice?

Community legal clinics and tenant advocacy groups often review notices at no cost. It's worth reaching out as early as possible, since these services tend to be busiest near hearing dates.

Does every notice type eventually require an LTB hearing?

In most cases, yes — a landlord generally cannot require a tenant to leave without an LTB order, which typically follows an application and a hearing, except in a narrow set of circumstances.