Serving a notice to a tenant is not just a formality — it is a legal requirement that can determine whether your entire application is dismissed. Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act specifies exactly how notices must be served. Getting it right is as important as filling out the form correctly.
Permitted Methods of Service
The RTA allows notices to be served in several ways: hand delivery to the tenant directly, hand delivery to an adult in the rental unit, leaving it in the mailbox or mail slot, sending it by mail, or sending it by email or fax if the tenant has consented in writing to that method. Each method has different rules about when service is considered effective.
When Service Is Deemed Complete
The date service is deemed complete affects whether the termination date on your notice is valid. For mail, service is deemed complete five days after mailing. For hand delivery, it is the day of delivery. Email and fax service (where consented) is deemed the next day. If your termination date does not account for these deemed service periods, your notice may be void.
Who Can Serve the Notice
The notice can be served by the landlord directly, by an agent (including a paralegal), or by any adult authorized to do so. There is no requirement that the landlord personally serve the notice. However, whoever serves it should be prepared to complete a Certificate of Service and testify about service if it is disputed.
The Certificate of Service
Complete a Certificate of Service at the time of service — not after the fact. Record the date, time, method, and the person who served it. If service is disputed at the LTB hearing, the Certificate of Service is your primary evidence. A vague or inconsistent service record can cost you the application.
What Comes Next
Stonegate prepares and serves all notices on behalf of Ontario landlords. Book a free call at https://calendly.com/stonegatelegalservices/20min.
▶ Watch: How to Properly Serve an N4 Notice to Your Tenant in Ontario
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