How the Landlord and Tenant Board Process Works in Ontario

If you have received a notice from the Landlord and Tenant Board — or you need to file one — you are probably wondering exactly what happens next. The Landlord and Tenant Board process in Ontario has specific steps, deadlines, and rules that are easy to get wrong if you have never been through it before. Understanding how the system works can make a real difference in the outcome.

Whether you are a landlord dealing with unpaid rent, or a tenant facing an eviction notice you believe is unfair, the process is the same: an application is filed, the other party is served, a hearing is held, and an order is issued. This guide walks through each stage so you know what to expect before you step into that hearing room — or log on to a videoconference.

This is general information about how the LTB works. How the law applies to your specific situation depends on your facts. See the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

What is the LTB?

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is an adjudicative tribunal — not a court — created under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act. It was established to provide a faster, more accessible forum for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants than the traditional court system.

Because the LTB is a tribunal, the decision-makers are called adjudicators, not judges. Adjudicators are appointed to hear and decide cases under the Residential Tenancies Act. The rules of evidence are less formal than in court, but the orders issued are legally binding and enforceable.

The LTB only covers residential tenancies in Ontario. Most private rental housing falls within its jurisdiction, though certain categories — such as social housing or accommodation in care homes — may have different rules.

Types of Applications

There are two broad categories of applications: those brought by landlords and those brought by tenants.

Landlord Applications

• L1 — Application to Evict a Tenant for Non-Payment of Rent and to Collect Rent the Tenant Owes: The most common application. Filed when a tenant has not paid rent.
• L2 — Application to End a Tenancy and Evict a Tenant: Covers a range of grounds including persistent late payment, illegal acts, damage to the unit, or behaviour that substantially interferes with others.
• L3, L4, L9, and others: Additional landlord applications exist for specific situations such as ending a tenancy where the tenant agreed to leave, or collecting rent without eviction.

Tenant Applications

• T2 — Application About Tenant Rights: Used when a landlord has allegedly entered the unit illegally, harassed the tenant, withheld a vital service, or otherwise interfered with the tenant's rights.
• T6 — Application About Maintenance: Filed when a landlord has failed to maintain the unit or residential complex in a good state of repair.
• T1 — Application About Illegal Charges: Used when a tenant believes they were charged a deposit, key deposit, or other amount that is not permitted under the Residential Tenancies Act.

This is not an exhaustive list. The Tribunals Ontario website lists all available application forms.

Step 1: Filing an Application

Applications are filed online through the Tribunals Ontario portal (available at ontario.ca). You will need to select the correct form for your situation, complete it carefully, and pay the applicable filing fee.

Filing fees apply to most applications — as of writing, verify the current amounts directly with the LTB, as fees are subject to change. Fee waiver options are available for applicants who cannot afford the filing fee; ask the LTB about the waiver process when you file.

Once your application is accepted, the LTB assigns a file number and schedules a hearing date.

Step 2: Service

After an application is filed, both parties must receive proper notice. The rules about how and when documents must be served are set out in the LTB's Rules of Procedure.

For landlord applications, the landlord is generally responsible for serving the tenant with a copy of the application and the Notice of Hearing. The method of service — personal delivery, mail, email, or posting on the unit door — depends on the type of application. Serving documents incorrectly can cause delays or affect the outcome, so follow the LTB's requirements precisely.

Tenants filing applications generally serve the landlord or the landlord's agent in a similar manner.

Step 3: The Hearing

LTB hearings may take place in person, by videoconference, or in writing, depending on the nature and complexity of the application. Most hearings today are conducted by videoconference through the Zoom platform.

Summary Hearings vs. Merits Hearings

• A summary hearing is used for straightforward matters where the facts are largely undisputed — for example, an uncontested L1 where the tenant does not appear.
• A merits hearing is a full hearing where both sides present evidence, question witnesses, and make submissions. These are scheduled when there are genuine disputes of fact or law.

How to Prepare

• Gather all relevant documents: lease agreements, rent receipts, written communications, photographs, maintenance records, or whatever supports your position.
• Organize your evidence in advance and be ready to share it digitally if the hearing is by videoconference.
• Be prepared to explain your position clearly and factually. Adjudicators hear many cases; being organized and concise helps.
• You may bring a licensed lawyer or paralegal to represent you.

Step 4: The Order

After the hearing, the adjudicator issues a written order. The order sets out what has been decided and what, if anything, must happen as a result.

• Eviction orders include a termination date — the date by which the tenant must vacate. This date is specified in the order, and eviction cannot be carried out before it.
• Monetary orders require one party to pay a specified amount to the other. As of writing, verify with the LTB how monetary orders interact with any applicable limits.

The order is sent to both parties. Orders are legally binding.

Step 5: After the Order — Enforcement Options

Enforcing an Eviction Order

If a tenant does not vacate by the date specified in an eviction order, the landlord must contact the Court Enforcement Office (Sheriff) to enforce the order. Landlords cannot physically remove a tenant themselves — doing so without Sheriff involvement is illegal.

Enforcing a Monetary Order

A monetary order from the LTB can be filed with the Small Claims Court or another appropriate court to obtain a judgment, which can then be enforced through standard judgment-enforcement mechanisms (such as garnishment). As of writing, verify the correct enforcement court and process with a legal professional.

Appeals

Either party may appeal an LTB order to the Divisional Court within 30 days of the order being issued (as of writing — verify the current appeal period with the LTB or a lawyer). Appeals are limited in scope; the Divisional Court generally reviews questions of law, not simply re-decides the facts.

Tips for Both Sides

1. Bring documentation. Oral evidence alone is rarely as persuasive as written records, photographs, or financial statements.
2. Arrive early or join on time. For in-person hearings, arrive before the start. For videoconferences, test your connection and log on a few minutes ahead.
3. Be respectful and factual. Adjudicators are looking for relevant facts. Stay calm, avoid personal attacks, and address the adjudicator professionally.
4. Keep communications in writing. Going forward, confirm important conversations by email so there is a paper trail.
5. Know what you are asking for. Before the hearing, be clear on the remedy you want and why the evidence supports it.

When to Get a Lawyer or Paralegal

Many LTB matters are straightforward, but legal representation can make a significant difference in more complex situations:

• Large amounts of money are at stake — significant rent arrears, extensive damage claims, or rent reduction applications.
• Bad faith allegations are involved — for example, a tenant claiming a landlord issued a notice in bad faith to get the unit back for personal use.
• Multiple issues are being heard together, making the hearing more complicated.
• You have already lost at the LTB and are considering an appeal to the Divisional Court.
• You are unsure what application to file, or you have received documents you do not understand.

A licensed Ontario paralegal can represent parties at the LTB. A lawyer can represent parties at both the LTB and in any subsequent court proceedings.

Frequently asked questions