Landlord / property management letter explained in English

Landlord or property manager. The person or company you rent your home from. Tenancy rules and forms are different in each province.

Letters you may get

• Notice of rent increase — your rent goes up from a date
• Notice to end your tenancy — for example an N4 or N12 form in Ontario
• Notice of entry — they will come into your home, for example for repairs

What to do

• A notice from your landlord is not an eviction order. In Ontario, only the Landlord and Tenant Board can order an eviction, and only the Sheriff can carry it out.
• Check the deadlines on the form right away. In some provinces you have only a few days to dispute.
• Find the deadline. Look for “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”). See the template.

Words you may see

N4

In Ontario: a notice from your landlord to end your tenancy because rent is unpaid.

N12

In Ontario: a notice to end your tenancy because the landlord, a buyer or a close family member wants to move in. You must get at least 60 days’ notice and usually one month’s rent as compensation.

Landlord and Tenant Board

The Ontario tribunal that decides disputes between landlords and tenants, including evictions. Other provinces have similar offices, like the Residential Tenancy Branch in British Columbia.

Questions

What is the Landlord / property management?

Landlord or property manager. The person or company you rent your home from. Tenancy rules and forms are different in each province.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the Landlord / property management?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In Canada, many deadlines count from the date printed on the letter, not from the day it arrives — for example, the 90 days to object to a tax notice. Mail can take several days, so check the date on the letter and act early. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”).

Can I read a Landlord / property management letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Canada

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Service Canada · Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …) · Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province) · ServiceOntario / ICBC / registry office · City or town — property tax department · City bylaw enforcement / parking