Today, I would like to discuss N4 – Notice to Terminate a Tenancy (Early Termination Notice for Unpaid Rent), which is essential to understand in property rental management. The N4 form is an official document used by a landlord to notify a tenant of the termination of the lease agreement due to non-payment of rent. Before using this form, there are a few important points you should know.
Time of Issuance: If the tenant fails to pay rent on the due date, typically after the 1st of each month, the landlord can issue the N4 form after midnight the following day. In other words, the N4 notice can be issued the day after rent has not been received.
14-Day Notice Period: If the tenant pays rent on a monthly or annual basis, the landlord must provide at least 14 days’ notice. For example, if you issue the notice on January 2, the 14-day period will start from January 3, and it will end on January 16. If you send the notice by mail or courier, additional time may be needed, so it is important to be aware of this. The quickest and most reliable method is email. However, for email notifications to be valid, the tenant must agree to email notifications in the Standard Form of Lease.
Notice to Each Tenant: If there are multiple tenants, you must send the N4 notice to each tenant individually as listed on the lease agreement. For example, if the lease names 3 tenants, you must send the notice to all 3 tenants separately. If you only send it to some of the tenants, you will need to resend the notice to everyone, so it is crucial to ensure accuracy from the start.
Accurate Address Information: The N4 form requires the correct address. For example, if the unit is a basement, you must write “Basement”; if it’s unit 505, write “Unit 505”. The regional name must also be accurate. For example, if the address is in North York, do not write Toronto. Use the correct regional names, such as North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, etc.
Unpaid Rent Amount Verification: On page 2 of the N4 form, you need to clearly indicate the amount of rent the tenant has not paid. This includes the period, rent amount, and any payments made by the tenant. The total unpaid amount listed on page 1 must match the detailed unpaid rent amount on page 2.
For Rent Payment Only: The N4 form can only be used for unpaid rent. If parking fees are included in the rent, this form cannot be used for unpaid parking fees, nor can bank charges (NSF fees) be included on the N4 form.
Signature and Date: After completing the N4 form, you must sign and date it. If the signature or date is missing, you will need to provide another 14-day notice to the tenant. Additionally, all other information must be accurate. If any information is incorrect, you will need to resend the notice.
If you have any further questions about the N4 form, it is recommended that you consult with a REOCA CERTIFIED real estate agent.
Why Is Home Staging Important? 
