Fire safety is not just a legal requirement — it’s essential to protecting tenants, properties, and investments. Effective January 1, 2026, Ontario Regulation 87/25 updated the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07 under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997) to strengthen fire safety standards and clarify compliance requirements for residential rental properties.

These changes introduce new obligations for landlords and property owners, particularly regarding carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, inspection standards, exit door hardware, and municipal enforcement.

What Is the Ontario Fire Code?

The Ontario Fire Code sets minimum fire safety requirements for buildings across the province, covering:

• Fire prevention and emergency preparedness

• Fire safety equipment (smoke and CO alarms, extinguishers)

• Regular maintenance, testing, and inspections

The recent updates reflect evolving national safety standards and improve consistency in how fire safety is applied to residential properties.

Key Updates Under O. Reg. 87/25

While some requirements vary by property type, the following are the most important changes for landlords:

1. Expanded Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Requirements

CO alarms are now required on every storey of a residential property that contains fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages — not just near sleeping areas. Landlords must ensure alarms are installed, functional, and regularly maintained.

2. Alignment With National Standards

Ontario’s Fire Code now aligns with the 2020 National Fire Code of Canada, ensuring consistency in testing, verification, and installation standards across provinces.

3. Updated Exit Door Hardware

All required exit doors must meet new standards for locking and latching devices, making them easily operable from the inside in case of an emergency.

4. Inspection and Reporting Standards

The updates incorporate ULC-S536 (testing) and ULC-S537 (verification) standards for inspections, requiring landlords and inspectors to use standardized forms and procedures when documenting fire safety system inspections.

5. Administrative Penalties

Municipalities now have the authority to issue fines for violations of the Fire Code. Non-compliance with CO alarm requirements, inspection standards, or exit door regulations can result in immediate administrative penalties, in addition to potential legal liability.

How These Updates Affect Landlords

The impact of these updates depends on your property type, size, and current fire safety measures. To remain compliant, landlords should:

• Audit existing CO alarm placement and install additional units where required

• Update inspection and testing documentation to meet ULC-S536 and ULC-S537 standards

• Check exit door hardware in all required exit points

• Prepare for possible municipal enforcement actions by maintaining clear records of inspections, tests, and maintenance

• Ensure tenants are aware of CO alarms and fire safety procedures

Being proactive helps reduce legal risk, avoid fines, and create a safer environment for residents.

Why Staying Informed Matters

Fire safety compliance isn’t just about following rules — it’s about protecting lives, property, and long-term investment value. The 2026 Fire Code updates introduce specific obligations that landlords must address now, and staying up to date ensures your property meets both legal requirements and tenant expectations.

Need Help Understanding How the Fire Code Applies to Your Property?

Every building is different, and applying these updates can feel complex.

📩 Contact us directly or DM @boltonandclements to discuss how the 2026 Fire Code updates may affect your property.
🔗 Follow our blog for ongoing updates on regulations, safety standards, and market insights.

Ontario’s housing and regulatory landscape has changed with the passage of Bill 60 — the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025. Originally introduced as a broad omnibus bill, Bill 60 makes significant changes to a range of provincial laws, including key amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) that landlords and property owners should understand.

What Is Bill 60?

Bill 60 is provincial legislation that amends many different statutes to speed up government processes, including housing-related rules, planning approvals, transit and infrastructure delivery, and utility governance. As part of this broad act, Schedule 12 makes changes to the Residential Tenancies Act — which governs landlord–tenant relations in Ontario.

Key Residential Tenancies Act Changes in Bill 60

Here are the changes affecting landlords and tenants that matter most:

1. Standardized Termination Forms 📄

Any notice to terminate a tenancy must now use a Board-approved form, unless a specific prescribed form exists. This helps ensure clarity and consistency for both landlords and tenants.

2. Shorter Eviction Timelines for Non-Payment of Rent 📆

Under Bill 60, when a tenant fails to pay rent, a landlord’s notice of termination (N4) can now take effect as soon as 7 days after the notice is given — shortening the period landlords wait before applying for eviction orders.

3. Tenant Must Pay Arrears Before Raising Issues 💰

At a rent arrears hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board, tenants must now pay at least 50% of the rent arrears claimed in the application before they can raise their own issues (like maintenance concerns) at that hearing, unless the regulations specify otherwise.

4. Changes to “Landlord’s Own Use” Evictions (N12 Notices) 🏠

Bill 60 modifies requirements under the RTA for evictions for the landlord’s own personal use:

• If sufficient notice is given and certain timing criteria are met, a landlord may no longer need to offer one month’s compensation or another rental unit to a tenant being evicted for personal use — provided at least 120 days’ notice is given and timing rules are followed.

This change reduces financial obligations previously required in those situations.

5. Appeals and LTB Reviews Are More Restrictive 📉

The RTA changes limit the ability of the Landlord and Tenant Board to review its own orders. The deadline to request reviews is also shortened (to 15 days in many cases), with fewer grounds for extending that deadline — meaning decisions can become more final more quickly.

6. Regulatory Clarifications 📊

Bill 60 lets the government create regulations that shape how terms like “persistent failure to pay rent” are defined, and how various thresholds and requirements at the Board are applied.

What This Means for Landlords

Whether you manage one unit or a large portfolio, the changes under Bill 60 could affect you:

• Faster eviction timelines can reduce the time and cost associated with non-payment cases.

• Clear notice forms help reduce dismissal risk based on technical errors.

• Pre-payment requirements shift some responsibility to tenants before hearings, potentially reducing delay tactics.

• Less compensation in certain owner-use evictions could lower costs — but check the exact criteria carefully.

Because these changes involve legal interpretations and procedural rules, it’s wise to consult legal counsel or ownership advisors to apply them correctly to your situation.

Why Staying Informed Matters

Bill 60 is not just about rental housing — it alters parts of Ontario law with widespread impact. Even within tenancy law, the details matter, and misunderstandings can be costly.

Taking time to understand the exact legislative changes, LTB process impacts, and how they interact with your leasing practices helps you remain compliant and protect your investments.

Need Help Understanding How Bill 60 Applies to You?

Every property situation is different. If you’re unsure how Bill 60 may affect your rental property or investment strategy, professional guidance can make a real difference.

📩 Contact us directly or DM @boltonandclements to discuss your specific situation.
🔗 Be sure to follow our blog for continued updates on housing regulations and market insights.

The GTA housing market closed out 2025 with softer activity, as economic uncertainty continued to weigh on buyer confidence. Annual home sales declined 11.2% year-over-year to 62,433, while new listings rose 10.1%, giving buyers more choice and increased negotiating power. 📉🏘️

In December 2025, 3,697 homes were sold, down 8.9% compared to December 2024. The average selling price was $1,006,735, a 5.1% year-over-year decrease. The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark also declined 6.3%, reflecting continued price adjustments across the market. 💼🔍

On a month-over-month basis, sales edged slightly lower, while new listings increased and prices showed signs of stabilization toward year-end. 📈📉

Unlock the latest insights on the GTA real estate market! 📊 Watch our December 2025 Market Report reel on Instagram and see how the trends affect you. 🏡