Landlords across Ontario are expressing support for the recently passed Bill 60, which introduces significant reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act. The legislation, passed in late November 2025, aims to restore balance in the province's rental housing system by addressing long-standing issues at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Restoring Balance in Rental Housing
According to Romeo Jack Barbosa, a landlord from Caledon East, the reforms demonstrate clear and thoughtful intent to create a more equitable system for both property owners and tenants. The key improvement focuses on reducing delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board, allowing responsible landlords to address non-payment and dispute cases more efficiently.
Barbosa emphasized that these changes support the financial stability of small property owners who work hard to maintain quality, affordable rental units. The government's initiative to define persistent failure to pay rent through regulation brings much-needed clarity and predictability for all parties involved in rental agreements.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
If implemented effectively, these reforms could help clear the Board's substantial backlog and ensure that tenants who meet their obligations and landlords who manage their properties responsibly are no longer disadvantaged by systemic delays. Barbosa noted that many myths and misunderstandings about Bill 60 are circulating, often spread by those with particular agendas.
Landlords are not in the business of providing free housing, Barbosa stated, explaining that property owners rely on rental income to pay mortgages, cover maintenance expenses, and support their families. The banks do not wait for payments, and neither can landlords who face similar financial pressures.
Rural Water Tax Concerns Emerge
Meanwhile, separate concerns have surfaced regarding water management policies affecting rural residents. Rural residents and farmers extending as far as Burrits Rapids are currently paying a water tax that may become more expensive when the city implements a potential tax based on absorption rates on all properties.
Recent reports indicate that the city has no plans to assist rural residents during times of drought and low water levels, despite collecting these taxes. This situation highlights the growing tension between urban water management policies and the needs of rural communities facing water security challenges.
As regulations for Bill 60 are finalized, stakeholders hope the government will continue engaging widely to strengthen Ontario's rental housing sector without undermining fairness. The legislation represents a meaningful step toward restoring confidence and balance in the housing system, according to supporters who appreciate the Premier and Minister of Housing's leadership on this issue.
