- Landlord applications such as the L1, L2 and L3 cost $201, or $186 through the Tribunals Ontario Portal.
- Most tenant applications, such as the T1, T2, T5 and T6, cost $53, or $48 through the Portal.
- LTB fees are non-refundable, so check that you have the right form before you pay.
- An individual (not a business) may ask for a fee waiver by completing the LTB Fee Waiver Request form and attaching it to the application.
Whether you are a landlord trying to end a tenancy or a tenant dealing with a repair problem, the first practical question is often what it costs to file. The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), part of Tribunals Ontario, resolves disputes and tenancy endings under the Residential Tenancies Act.
The filing fee is only part of the picture. This article walks through the main application fees, how payment works, how a fee waiver request works, and the smaller charges for copies and recordings. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount on the Tribunals Ontario site before you file.
Landlord application fees
Most landlord applications to end a tenancy or collect money cost $201. Filing through the Tribunals Ontario Portal lowers the fee for several of them to $186.
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| L1, L2, L3, L9, L10 | $201 ($186 through the Portal) |
| L6, L7, L8, A2, A4 | $201 |
| L5 | $233 for the first ten units, plus $10 per additional unit, to a maximum of $1,000 |
| A1 (does the Act apply?) | $53 |
| L4 (tenant breached a settlement or order) | No charge through the Portal |
| Request to Review an Order | $58 |
Each form has a different purpose. For example, the L1 is used to evict for non-payment and collect rent (and needs an N4 notice first), the L2 ends a tenancy and evicts, the L9 collects rent from a tenant still in the unit, and the L10 collects money from a former tenant.
Tenant application fees
Tenant fees are much lower. The T1, T2, T5 and T6 are $53, or $48 through the Portal. The T3, T4, T7, A1, A2 and A4 are $53.
In plain terms, the T1 asks for a rebate of money a landlord owes, the T2 deals with tenant rights and interference, the T5 deals with a bad faith notice, and the T6 deals with maintenance.
Multi-tenant applications are $53 for the first unit plus $5 for each additional unit, to a maximum of $450, and are accepted by mail or courier only. Some steps have no charge: a motion to set aside an ex parte order, or to void an eviction order for arrears.
How to file and pay
You can file through the Portal, by email with online payment, by mail or courier, or in person at about 80 ServiceOntario locations. Documents cannot be mailed or faxed to ServiceOntario locations, and ServiceOntario staff cannot give legal or procedural information.
- Visa or Mastercard credit card works for every filing method.
- Debit works only on the Portal or in person at ServiceOntario.
- Certified cheque or money order payable to 'Minister of Finance' works only by mail, courier or ServiceOntario.
- Cash works only in person at ServiceOntario.
- Credit card details cannot be sent by email or fax.
For email-filed applications paid online, such as the L6, L7, L8, A1, A2 and A4, pay first. Then email the application and receipt to ltbpayments@ontario.ca within 24 hours, with the 7-digit receipt number in the subject line. Otherwise the LTB will refund the payment.
Fee waivers
An individual, not a business or organization, can ask for a waiver by completing all three parts of the LTB Fee Waiver Request form, including the Declaration, and attaching it to the application. Qualifying is based on household income support (Ontario Works, ODSP, OAS with GIS, War Veteran's Allowance or CPP) or on gross monthly household income under a threshold that depends on household size.
If a waiver is granted, fees are waived from the date it is granted. If it is denied and you included payment information, the LTB processes the payment immediately. If you did not, you must pay within three business days of being contacted or the application is returned. Income thresholds change, so use the current form rather than relying on older figures.
Other costs to expect
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copies of documents on file | $0.54 per page |
| First mailed certified copy of an order | Free; $6.72 for each additional copy |
| Record search | Free for 2 hours, then $8.07 per additional 15 minutes |
| Recording of a hearing | $16.15 |
| LTB Rules and Guidelines copy | $5.38 |
LTB fees are non-refundable. Also remember that winning an order does not put money in your hand. Most LTB orders are enforced through the courts, and an order for payment of money can be filed with the Small Claims Court for enforcement.
What to do next
- Confirm the correct form for what you want, since fees are non-refundable.
- Check the current fee on the Tribunals Ontario site before you pay.
- Decide whether the Portal is available to you, since it lowers several fees.
- If money is tight and you are an individual, complete all three parts of the fee waiver form.
- Keep your receipt and, for email filings, send it within 24 hours.
- If the stakes are high or the form is unclear, speak with a lawyer or paralegal before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file an LTB application in Ontario?
It depends on the form and who files. Many landlord applications are $201 ($186 through the Portal), and many tenant applications are $53 ($48 through the Portal). Confirm the current amount before paying.
Can I get my LTB fee back if I withdraw?
LTB fees are non-refundable. The one stated exception to know about is an email-filed application where the receipt and application are not sent in time, in which case the LTB will refund the payment.
Can a business or landlord company get a fee waiver?
No. Only an individual, not a business or organization, can request a waiver.
Does the loser pay the winner's filing fee?
That depends on the order the LTB makes and the facts of your case, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer or paralegal. Do not assume you will get your fee back.
Sources
- Tribunals Ontario – LTB — tribunalsontario.ca
- Tribunals Ontario – LTB application and hearing process — tribunalsontario.ca
- Tribunals Ontario – LTB Forms, filing and fees — tribunalsontario.ca
- LTB Practice Direction on Fee Waiver (Jan 16, 2017) — tribunalsontario.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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