What is the difference between an N4 and an L1 in Ontario?

The N4 is a notice — the written warning that gives a tenant a set number of days to pay overdue rent or move out. The L1 is the application you file with the Landlord and Tenant Board asking for an eviction order after the N4 period expires without payment. The N4 comes first; the L1 is how you actually get an eviction.

Do I need an N4 before I can file an L1?

Yes. You cannot file an L1 for non-payment without first serving a valid N4 and letting the notice period run out. The LTB will dismiss an L1 that wasn't preceded by a properly served and properly expired N4.

Is the N4 or the L1 the eviction?

Neither is the eviction itself. The N4 is a notice, and the L1 is an application. Only the LTB can order an eviction, and only the Sheriff can enforce it — a landlord can never change locks or remove a tenant directly.

How much does each one cost?

Serving an N4 is free (EasyServe generates a validated N4 and Certificate of Service for $9). The L1 filing fee is $186 online through the Tribunals Ontario Portal, or $201 by mail or in person, and can be claimed back from the tenant if the eviction is granted.

N4 vs L1: The Notice vs the Application

Landlords often use "N4" and "L1" interchangeably, but they're two different things at two different stages of an Ontario non-payment eviction. The N4 is the notice you serve on the tenant; the L1 is the application you file with the Landlord and Tenant Board afterwards. Here's how they compare.

N4 vs L1 at a Glance

Aspect	N4 (notice)	L1 (application)
What it is	A notice — the written warning that the tenancy will end for non-payment of rent	An application — the request to the LTB for an eviction order and a money order
Stage	Step 1 — served before you can apply	Step 2 — filed only after the N4 expires
Who acts	Landlord serves it on the tenant	Landlord files it with the Landlord and Tenant Board
Where it goes	Given to the tenant (hand, mail, courier, etc.)	Filed on the Tribunals Ontario Portal
Cost	Free to serve (EasyServe generates one for $9)	$186 filing fee online ($201 by mail or in person)
Timing	Served the day after rent is due and unpaid	Filed the day after the N4 termination date passes
Waiting period	14-day notice period (7 for weekly/daily, or monthly/yearly on/after Sept 21, 2026)	4–8 month wait for a hearing
How the tenant stops it	Pay all arrears in full before the termination date	Pay the full amount owing plus the fee up to the hearing
Outcome	Tenant pays/leaves, or you become eligible to file the L1	Eviction order, enforced by the Sheriff

The N4 — Your Notice to the Tenant

The N4 ("Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent") is the first legal step. You serve it on the tenant, it states the arrears and a termination date, and it gives the tenant a fixed period to pay in full or move out. If they pay everything owed before the termination date, the notice is void and the tenancy continues. See the complete N4 guide and the termination date calculator.

The L1 — Your Application to the LTB

The L1 ("Application to Evict a Tenant for Non-payment of Rent and to Collect Rent the Tenant Owes") is what you file with the Board after the N4 expires unpaid. It asks the LTB for an eviction order and a money order for the arrears. It's filed on the Tribunals Ontario Portal for a $186 fee. See how to file the L1 on the portal and the L1 application overview.

Why You Need Both, in Order

The N4 without the L1 is just a warning — it can't remove a tenant on its own. The L1 without a valid, expired N4 gets dismissed. You need both, in sequence: serve the N4, wait out the notice period, then file the L1. Getting the N4 right is what protects the L1 — the most common N4 mistakes are exactly what sink L1 applications at the hearing.

Start with the N4

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N4 vs L1 FAQs

Related Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is a document-preparation aid, not legal advice. The N4 and L1 are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and Landlord and Tenant Board practice. Confirm current fees and procedures with Tribunals Ontario and consult a licensed paralegal or lawyer for advice specific to your situation.