Ontario Landlord Guide › My tenant is noisy and other tenants are complaining. What can I do in Ontario?

My tenant is noisy and other tenants are complaining. What can I do in Ontario?

Last updated October 23, 2026 · Written for small Ontario landlords

Short answer: If the tenant, someone living with them or their guest substantially interferes with your or another tenant's reasonable enjoyment of the building, you can give them an N5 notice. It must give at least 20 days and tell them to stop within 7 days. If they stop, the notice is void. If they don't, you can file an L2 to evict from the 8th day. A second problem within 6 months allows a second N5 that can't be voided.

Official source: LTB: Instructions for the N5 notice (updated Sept 21, 2026) · Last checked Oct 2026

What counts as substantial interference?

Section 64(1) of the Act covers conduct by the tenant, another occupant or a person the tenant lets into the building that substantially interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of the residential complex by the landlord or another tenant, or with another lawful right, privilege or interest. This is Reason 1 on the N5. The word substantially matters: one loud evening is unlikely to be enough, while repeated late-night parties that keep the neighbours awake are the kind of problem the notice is for. The LTB decides on the evidence at the hearing.

Step 1: write it down before you give any notice

The N5 instructions ask you to be as specific as possible: who did it (the tenant, an occupant or a guest), the dates and times, what happened and who was affected. Keep a dated log of every complaint, save the other tenants' messages and ask whether they would be willing to speak at a hearing.

Step 2: the N5 notice

Reason 1 on the N5, with the details on page 2 and exactly what the tenant must stop doing to void the notice.
Termination date at least 20 days after you give it (s. 64(2)). Don't count the day you give it. Add 1 business day by courier and 5 days by mail.
The 7 days. If the tenant stops the conduct within 7 days of receiving the notice, it is void (s. 64(3)) and you can't apply on it.
Giving it. Hand it to the tenant or an adult in the unit, put it in the mailbox or under the door, or send it by courier or mail. You can't post it on the door.

If it starts again: the second N5

If the problem comes back more than 7 days but less than 6 months after the first N5, you can give a second N5. It needs only 14 days, the tenant can't void it, and you can apply right away (s. 68, s. 71). Attach the first N5 and its Certificate of Service when you file.

When an N7 applies instead

If you live in the same building and it has three or fewer residential units, and the conduct substantially interferes with your own reasonable enjoyment, you can use an N7. It needs only 10 days and can't be voided (s. 65). The N7 also covers conduct that seriously impairs someone's safety in the building (s. 66). Renting a room where you share the kitchen or bathroom with the tenant? The Act may not apply at all; see renting rooms in your home.

Filing the L2

When. On a first N5, from the 8th day after the tenant got it (s. 70). On a second N5 or an N7, right away (s. 71). Always within 30 days after the termination date (s. 69(2)).
What to file. The L2, a copy of the notice and a Certificate of Service.
Fee. $201, or $186 through the Tribunals Ontario Portal (LTB fees page).

Worked example

Other tenants report loud parties past 2 a.m. on three weekends. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026 you hand the tenant an N5 with Reason 1, listing each date and time and saying the late-night noise must stop.

The tenant has until Tuesday, November 10, 2026 to stop. If the parties stop, the notice is void.
The earliest termination date is Monday, November 23, 2026, the 20th day after November 3.
If the parties continue, you can file the L2 on or after Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and no later than Wednesday, December 23, 2026.
Had you mailed the N5 instead, the termination date moves to Saturday, November 28, 2026.
If the parties stopped but start again on Friday, November 20, 2026, that is more than 7 days after the first N5, so a second N5 handed over that day can give a termination date of Friday, December 4, 2026, and you can file at once.

Where the toolkit helps: The toolkit's LTB-Ready Evidence Pack includes a communication log and a hearing bundle checklist, so each complaint, the N5 and your messages with the tenant stay in one dated record. See what is inside the $19 toolkit

Avoid these mistakes

A vague notice. "Too much noise" with no dates or times is hard to prove and may not tell the tenant what to stop.
No witnesses or log. The tenants who complained are your evidence. Without them, it is your word against the tenant's.
Giving the second N5 too soon. It only works for conduct that happens more than 7 days after the first N5.
Cutting services or changing the locks. You can take the unit back only after the tenant leaves or the LTB orders an eviction (s. 39).

Problem is damage rather than noise? See what to do when a tenant damages the unit.

Official sources

Not legal advice. This site is general information written by a small Ontario landlord, based on official Ontario and Tribunals Ontario sources as of October 23, 2026. Laws and LTB forms change; check the linked official source before you act, and talk to a lawyer or licensed paralegal (or call the LTB at 1-888-332-3234) about your situation. Not affiliated with the Government of Ontario, Tribunals Ontario or the Landlord and Tenant Board. Full disclaimer.