The N4 Form is one of the most important forms in the landlord business.

1. When to Use the N4 Form Notice: 

• Use the N4 notice when the tenant hasn’t paid rent on the due date. 

• Example: If rent is due on the 1st of each month and not paid by the tenant, the earliest notice date is the next day. 

• Tenant must still be living in the rental unit for this notice. 

2. How to Complete the N4 Notice (Page One): 

• To: Fill in tenant’s name(s). 

• From: Fill in landlord’s name(s). 

• Address of Rental Unit: Complete address including postal code. 

• The following information is from your landlord: 

1. Amount owed by tenant (after completing rent owing table on page two). 

2. Termination date: 

1. At least 14 days  for monthly, bi-weekly, or yearly basis rent. 

2. At least 7 days for daily or weekly basis rent. 

3. How to Complete the N4 Notice (Page Two): 

• Complete table showing: 

1. Rental periods with unpaid rent. 

2. Rent charged, paid, and total owing. 

• Only include rent, not other charges (e.g., utility bills). 

• Combine rental periods if owed rent spans more than three periods. 

4. Signature: 

• Landlord or representative fills and signs accordingly, with date. 

5. How to Give the N4 Notice to the Tenant: 

• Directly hand to tenant or adult in unit or leave in mailbox. 

• Place under door or through mail slot. 

• Send them by fax, courier, or mail. 

• Posting on the door is not valid. 

6. What Happens After Giving the N4 Notice to the Tenant: 

• Keep a copy for record. 

• If tenant pays owed rent by termination date, notice is void. 

• If not paid, landlord can apply to LTB for eviction and rent collection. 

• Application requires Form L1, a copy of Form N4, and a Certificate of Service. 

• Forms are available at the local LTB office or website. 

7. By following these steps, landlords can effectively address non-payment of rent issues with tenants. 

Frequently asked Questions… 

What is the N4 notice? 

• The N4 form is a notice used by landlords in Ontario for rent arrears. Landlords can use the N4 form to notify tenants that they are in arrears on their rent payments and that the landlord intends to terminate the tenancy early if the rent owed is not paid in full within a specified timeframe. This notice is the first step in the legal process of evicting a tenant for non-payment of rent in Ontario. 

How do I serve the N4 notice? 

• The N4 notice can be served by handing it directly to the tenant in the rental unit, leave it in the tenant’s mailbox or where mail is ordinarily delivered, place it under the door of the rental unit or through a mail slot in the door, send it by courier or by mail.  

Can you serve the N4 by email? 

• The N4 can be served by email only if the tenant consented in writing and has provided an email address for service.  

What do I do after serving the N4? 

• After serving the N4 notice, wait for the tenant’s response. If the tenant pays the outstanding rent in full before the termination date specified on the N4 notice, the notice is void and the tenancy continues as usual.  
• If the tenant does not pay the outstanding rent within the specified timeframe, you can proceed with filing an application to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for a hearing.