Landlord and Tenant Board Guides Ontario
Understand LTB procedures, hearing preparation, and your rights as a landlord or tenant in Ontario
Understanding the Landlord and Tenant Board
The Landlord and Tenant Board resolves disputes between landlords and tenants in Ontario, handling matters from evictions and rent arrears to maintenance issues and illegal lockouts. The LTB operates under the Residential Tenancies Act and has its own procedures, timelines, and rules that differ significantly from regular courts. Understanding how the process works helps you protect your rights and present your case effectively.
These guides explain LTB procedures, hearing preparation, and what to expect at each stage. Whether you are a landlord pursuing an eviction or responding to a tenant application, or a tenant defending against eviction or seeking remedies for maintenance problems, these resources help you navigate the tribunal process. For step-by-step form completion instructions, see the LTB forms hub.
Landlord and Tenant Board Guides
Select a guide to learn about specific procedures and requirements
LTB Hearing Preparation
Complete guide to preparing for your LTB hearing including what to bring, how hearings work, presenting evidence effectively, and common mistakes that hurt your case.
Eviction Process for Landlords
Understanding the eviction process from serving notice to obtaining an eviction order, including grounds for eviction, notice requirements, and what happens at each stage.
Tenant Rights and Remedies
What tenants can do about maintenance problems, illegal rent increases, harassment, and other landlord violations including how to file applications and what remedies the LTB can order.
Rent Increases in Ontario
Understanding lawful rent increases including the annual guideline, above-guideline increases, notice requirements, and how to challenge improper rent increases.
Common LTB Matters
The Landlord and Tenant Board handles a wide range of disputes between landlords and tenants. Understanding what types of matters the LTB deals with helps you determine whether this is the right venue for your issue and what application or response you need to file.
Eviction Applications
Landlords seeking to evict tenants for non-payment of rent, persistent late payment, damage, interference with others, illegal activity, or personal use of the property. Each ground has specific notice requirements and procedures.
Rent Arrears
Claims for unpaid rent including calculating arrears correctly, applying last month’s rent deposits, and understanding when tenants can raise maintenance issues as a defence to reduce or eliminate the amount owed.
Maintenance and Repairs
Tenant applications for rent abatement, repair orders, or other remedies when landlords fail to maintain rental units in good repair. Proper documentation of maintenance problems and their impact is essential.
Bad Faith Evictions
Disputes about whether evictions for landlord’s own use, purchaser’s own use, or renovations were genuine or pretextual. Tenants can seek compensation if landlords did not actually use the unit as claimed in the eviction application.
Bill 60 Changes – November 2025
Bill 60 introduced significant changes to LTB procedures effective November 2025. Key changes include shortened notice periods for non-payment of rent (now seven days for monthly tenancies instead of fourteen), reduced time to request reviews of LTB orders (now fifteen days instead of thirty), and new restrictions on tenants raising maintenance issues at rent arrears hearings. These guides reflect the current rules, but if you received notices or filed applications before November 2025, different timelines may apply to your situation.
Common Questions About the LTB
How long does an LTB case take?
Timelines vary significantly depending on the type of application and current LTB backlogs. Urgent matters like illegal lockouts may be heard within days. Standard eviction applications typically take three to six months from filing to hearing, though this can be longer during busy periods. After a hearing, written decisions usually issue within a few weeks, and enforcement through the Sheriff may take additional weeks or months depending on their schedule.
Do I need a paralegal for an LTB hearing?
You are not required to have representation at the LTB, and many people represent themselves successfully in straightforward matters. However, LTB hearings involve procedural rules, evidence requirements, and legal principles that can significantly affect outcomes. Professional representation is particularly valuable in contested evictions, cases involving multiple issues, situations where the other side has representation, or matters with significant financial stakes like large rent arrears or compensation claims.
Can I appeal an LTB decision?
You can request a review of an LTB order within fifteen days if you believe there was a serious error of law, you were not reasonably able to participate in the hearing, or the order contains a serious error. Reviews are heard by the LTB itself. For errors of law, you may also appeal to Divisional Court, but this is a more complex and expensive process with strict procedural requirements. Acting quickly is essential because the fifteen-day review deadline is strictly enforced.
What happens if I ignore an LTB application?
If you do not respond to or attend a hearing for an LTB application, the hearing may proceed without you and orders may be made based solely on the other party’s evidence. For tenants facing eviction, this typically means an eviction order will be issued. For landlords responding to tenant applications, this may mean orders for rent abatement, repairs, or other remedies without your input. Always respond to LTB applications and attend scheduled hearings.
Are LTB hearings in person or virtual?
Most LTB hearings are currently conducted by videoconference through the Tribunals Ontario Portal. Some matters may be scheduled for in-person hearings at regional LTB offices. You receive instructions about how to attend with your Notice of Hearing. Ensure you have reliable internet, a quiet space, and test the video platform before your hearing date. Technical difficulties can affect your ability to participate effectively.
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LTB ServicesRelated resources: LTB Forms Hub Landlord Services Tenant Services