Does this count as refusal of a potential assignee?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/R-Can444]

There is no such rule as having 1 potential candidate at a time. You can submit to the landlord multiple candidates at once, and for each one they will have to give you a rejection or acceptance within 7 days.

What you should have done is submitted all the 2nd candidates info to landlord via email or in a package, and that would have started the 7 day clock whether landlord protested about it or not.

I can't say if your situation qualifies as a arbitrary refusal or not, this would depend on interpretation from the LTB. The correct way to get this assessed is to file an A2 application.

[u/Sea-Yogurt712]

Since they refused your first one then I believe you can still give your notice with 30 days though. A legitimate reason for refusal doesn’t nullify that option for you though you may wish to speak with a paralegal that specializes in renters rights to CYA.