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. 🏡

GTA home sales totaled 5,010 in November, marking a 15.8% drop year-over-year as many buyers stayed on the sidelines waiting for clearer economic signals. 📉
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New listings reached 11,134, down 4% from last November, with both sales and listings also dipping slightly compared to October’s seasonally adjusted numbers. 📋🏘️
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The average selling price came in at $1,039,458, down 6.4% year-over-year, while the MLS® HPI Composite slipped 5.8% annually and held close to October levels. 💰📊
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💬 Despite softer numbers, stability in month-over-month pricing suggests the market is finding its footing — creating opportunities for buyers to secure value while conditions remain negotiable.

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

Home sales across the GTA hit 6,138 in October, down 9.5% year-over-year, as buyers continued to take their time in a more negotiable market. 🏡📉
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New listings rose 2.7% year-over-year to 16,069, giving buyers a wider selection — though both sales and listings slipped slightly from September levels. 📋🏘️
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The average selling price came in at $1,054,372, down 7.2% from last October, while the MLS® HPI Composite eased 5% year-over-year and stayed essentially flat month-over-month. 💰📊
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💬 Lower mortgage rates are starting to ease pressure, but the fall market remains firmly buyer-leaning — a window for well-prepared purchasers to negotiate strong terms before inventory tightens again.
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📩 DM us @boltonandclements for your personalized market game plan — or book a quick strategy call today.

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

GTA home sales reached 5,592 in September — up 8.5% compared to last year, as lower monthly mortgage payments brought more buyers back into the market. 🏠⬆️⁣
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New listings also saw a modest 4% increase year-over-year, totaling 19,260 — keeping plenty of options available for buyers. However, with fewer new listings month-over-month, some areas may be tightening. 📉🏘️⁣
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The average selling price came in at $1,059,377, down 4.7% year-over-year. Prices remained relatively stable from August, nudging up just 0.2%. The MLS® HPI benchmark also declined 5.5% year-over-year. 💰📉⁣

Curious how these numbers impact your buying or selling plans? DM us @boltonandclements for your personalized update! 📩💼

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

August 2025 GTA home sales totaled 5,211, up 2.3% from last year. Meanwhile, new listings jumped 9.4% to 14,038, giving buyers more options across the market. 📈🏠

With increased supply, prices continued to adjust— the average selling price came in at $1,022,143, down 5.2% year-over-year. On a month-over-month basis, both prices and the MLS® HPI held steady, pointing to a balanced late-summer market. 🏘️📉

Curious how these numbers impact your buying or selling plans? DM us @boltonandclements for your personalized update! 📩💼

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

July 2025 marked the strongest GTA home sales for the month since 2021! With 6,100 homes sold—up 10.9% from last year—sales growth outpaced new listings, leading to modest market tightening. 📈🏠

New listings reached 17,613, rising 5.7% year-over-year. While the average selling price dipped 5.5% to $1,051,719, month-over-month prices remained steady, signaling a stable summer market. 🏘️📉

Curious what this means for your real estate plans? DM us @boltonandclements for expert insights! 📬💼

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

Housing affordability in the GTA continued to improve this June, with average prices and borrowing costs lower than last year. But despite some month-over-month momentum, many buyers are still sitting on the sidelines due to economic uncertainty. 💭💸

GTA REALTORS® reported 6,243 home sales — down 2.4% from June 2024 — while new listings increased 7.7% year-over-year to 19,839. 📊🏠

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales rose month-over-month, while new listings declined — a trend that points to tighter market conditions heading into summer. 🔄🌞

The average selling price came in at $1,101,691, down 5.4% from last year, while the MLS® HPI Composite benchmark dropped 5.5%. 📉

Curious what this means for your real estate plans? DM us @boltonandclements for expert insights! 📬💼

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

May 2025 brought improved affordability to the GTA housing market! With sales down and listings up, buyers gained more options and stronger negotiating power. 📉🤝

GTA REALTORS® reported 6,244 home sales — down 13.3% from May 2024 — while new listings rose 14% year-over-year to 21,819. 🏘️📈

The average selling price landed at $1,120,879, down 4% annually, and the MLS® HPI Composite dipped 4.5%. However, both prices and sales edged up month-over-month for the second straight time. 🔄📈

Want to know what this means for your home’s value? DM us @boltonandclements for expert insights! 📩💼

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

April 2025 followed seasonal trends with more activity than March—but home sales in the GTA are still trailing behind last year. 📆

GTA REALTORS® reported 5,601 sales—down 23.3% from April 2024—as many buyers continue to wait for rate cuts and more economic certainty. 🏦

New listings rose 8.1% year-over-year to 18,836, giving buyers more to choose from. The average selling price dipped 4.1% to $1,107,463, while the MLS® HPI Composite dropped 5.4%. 💸

Are you wondering what this means for the value of your home? DM us @boltonandclements for expert advice on your specific situation! 🏡🔍

Watch our April 2025 Market Report reel on Instagram and see how the trends affect you. 🏡

Yours in real estate,

Bolton & Clements Real Estate Group

March 2025 saw a more affordable GTA housing market! With borrowing costs and home prices easing, homeownership became more accessible for buyers. 📉🏠

GTA REALTORS® reported 5,011 home sales—a 23.1% drop from last year—while new listings surged 28.6%, giving buyers more options. The average selling price landed at $1,093,254, down 2% year-over-year, while the MLS® HPI Composite dipped 3.8%.

With more inventory and shifting conditions, buyers and sellers have new opportunities in today’s market. 💼📊

Are you wondering what this means for the value of your home? DM us @boltonandclements for expert advice on your specific situation! 🏡🔍

Watch our March 2025 Market Report reel on Instagram and see how the trends affect you. 🏡

Yours in real estate,

Bolton & Clements Real Estate Group