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Eviction Via Form N12 Process:
Good Faith Intention of at Least One Year of Occupancy
Last Updated: June 11 2026
Question: What are the legal requirements for serving an N12 eviction notice for landlord’s own use in Ontario?
Answer: In Ontario, an N12 for landlord’s own use must meet the requirements in Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, Chapter 17, s. 48, including a genuine good-faith intention that the landlord or eligible family member will occupy the unit for at least one year, proper timing and service with at least 60 days’ notice ending on a tenancy period end date, and paying the tenant the required compensation (typically one month’s rent). For clear, cost-effective help preparing or challenging an N12 and navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board process across Ontario, contact Hall Paralegal Services (Paralegal) at (519) 258-2400 for fast next steps.
Understanding the Requirements During an N12 Eviction for Own Use By the Landlord or Family Member
Frequently, landlords wish to repossess a rental unit to enable occupancy by themselves, a close kin, or an expected purchaser. When this occurs, it is essential that landlords have a sincere intention that the replacement occupancy will persist for at least one year. The law requires landlords to demonstrate a bona fide intention for the new occupant to remain within the rental unit for a minimum of one year. This obligation ensures that landlords refrain from claiming a desire to take back the rental unit without a true intention to reside in the rental unit whereas such might otherwise serve as a pretext for evicting the current tenant in favour of a new tenant willing to pay a higher rent.
The Law
A landlord holds a right, in certain circumstances, to terminate so to take over occupancy for the own use of the landlord per section 48 of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, Chapter 17 whereas it is stated:
48 (1) A landlord may, by notice, terminate a tenancy if the landlord in good faith requires possession of the rental unit for the purpose of residential occupation for a period of at least one year by,
(a) the landlord;
(b) the landlord’s spouse;
(c) a child or parent of the landlord or the landlord’s spouse; or
(d) a person who provides or will provide care services to the landlord, the landlord’s spouse, or a child or parent of the landlord or the landlord’s spouse, if the person receiving the care services resides or will reside in the building, related group of buildings, mobile home park or land lease community in which the rental unit is located.
(2) The date for termination specified in the notice shall be at least 60 days after the notice is given and shall be the day a period of the tenancy ends or, where the tenancy is for a fixed term, the end of the term.
(3) A tenant who receives notice of termination under subsection (1) may, at any time before the date specified in the notice, terminate the tenancy, effective on a specified date earlier than the date set out in the landlord’s notice.
(4) The date for termination specified in the tenant’s notice shall be at least 10 days after the date the tenant’s notice is given.
(5) This section does not authorize a landlord to give a notice of termination of a tenancy with respect to a rental unit unless,
(a) the rental unit is owned in whole or in part by an individual; and
(b) the landlord is an individual.
Challenges
Failure to follow the proper N12 eviction process can lead to legal issues, delays, and strife. The N12 process should be shown great care with adherence to the applicable requirements such as proper notice, mandatory compensation, good faith intentions, among other issues.
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Conclusion
A landlord wishing to occupy a rental unit for the personal residential purposes of the landlord, or certain family members of the landlord, may issue and serve a Form N12 upon the tenant as the proper legal notice of eviction. A proper Form N12 provides at least sixty (60) days notice to a tenant to vacate the rental unit. Along with the sixty (60) days notice, a landlord must also provide the tenant with monetary compensation in an amount equal to one (1) month of rent. The landlord should make payment of the compensation to the tenant at the same time that the tenant vacates the rental unit and surrenders the keys to the landlord.
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