Ontario N4 Form: How to Fill Out the N4 Notice Correctly

What Is the N4 Notice?

The N4 Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent is an official LTB form that Ontario landlords must serve before applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to evict a tenant who hasn't paid rent. It is not an eviction order; it is a formal demand that gives the tenant 14 days to pay what they owe or vacate the unit.

You cannot skip the N4 and go straight to the LTB. If you file an L1 application without a valid N4, it will be dismissed.

When Can You Serve an N4?

You can serve an N4 as soon as rent is overdue, even the day after it was due. There is no mandatory waiting period before issuing the notice. However, practically speaking, most landlords give tenants a few days to pay before taking formal action.

You can also serve an N4 if the tenant regularly underpays rent (e.g., consistently paying less than the full amount).

How to Fill Out the N4 Correctly

1. Landlord and Tenant Information

Include the full legal names of all landlords and all tenants named on the lease. If you have a property management company, use the company name as the landlord. Include the full address of the rental unit.

2. Amount of Rent Owed

This is where most N4 mistakes happen. The N4 must show only rent, not:

• NSF cheque fees
• Utility charges (unless specifically defined as rent in the lease)
• Parking or locker charges (unless defined as rent)
• Damage charges or other amounts

List each rental period separately (e.g., February 2026 rent: $1,800; March 2026 rent: $1,800). The total must be exact. If the amount is wrong, even by a dollar, the LTB may void your N4.

3. Termination Date

The Termination Date is the date by which the tenant must either pay all rent owed or vacate. It must be at least 14 days after the date you serve the notice. It does not have to fall on the last day of a rental period.

If you set a Termination Date that is too early, the LTB will dismiss your L1 application.

Serving the N4 Notice

After completing the N4, you must serve it on the tenant using one of these methods:

Complete a Certificate of Service

After serving the N4, fill out a Certificate of Service recording:

• The date and method you used to serve the notice
• Who served it (you, a property manager, etc.)

You'll need to submit the Certificate of Service with your L1 application. If you don't have it, the LTB may reject your application.

What Happens After You Serve the N4?

The tenant has until the Termination Date to either pay all rent owed or move out. If they pay in full, the N4 is void and the tenancy continues as normal. If they don't pay and don't leave, you can file an L1 Application with the LTB any time after the Termination Date.

See our full guide: How to Evict a Non-Paying Tenant in Ontario