Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board: Complete Guide for Self-Represented Parties (2026)

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the tribunal that resolves most residential tenancy disputes in Ontario. Whether you are a landlord dealing with unpaid rent or a tenant facing illegal lockout, the LTB is where your case will be heard.

This guide covers how the LTB works, which forms to use, what to expect at a hearing, and how to enforce an order — from both the landlord's and the tenant's perspective.

Important disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) and LTB procedures are complex. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed lawyer, paralegal, or community legal clinic.

What Is the Landlord and Tenant Board?

The LTB is an adjudicative tribunal established under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA). It has exclusive jurisdiction over most residential tenancy disputes in Ontario, meaning the regular courts generally cannot hear these matters.

The LTB handles disputes between:

Landlords and tenants of residential rental units
Former landlords and former tenants (for certain post-tenancy claims)

The LTB does not handle:

Commercial tenancies (business leases)
Condominium disputes between owners and condo corporations (these go to the Condominium Authority Tribunal)
Co-operative housing disputes in some circumstances

Common LTB Applications

Landlord Applications

| Form | Purpose | |------|---------| | L1 | Eviction for non-payment of rent | | L2 | Eviction for other reasons (damage, disturbance, illegal acts, personal use, etc.) | | L3 | Eviction based on tenant's notice to terminate or agreement to terminate | | L4 | Eviction for failure to meet conditions of a previous order | | L9 | Collect rent arrears (without eviction) | | L10 | Collect money the tenant owes for damage, utilities, or other charges |

Tenant Applications

| Form | Purpose | |------|---------| | T1 | Collect money the landlord owes (rebate for illegal charges, rent paid during illegal lockout, etc.) | | T2 | Rights (harassment, illegal entry, interference with reasonable enjoyment, illegal lockout) | | T6 | Maintenance and repair issues | | T7 | Rent reduction for loss of a service or facility |

How to File an Application

Complete the appropriate form — forms are available on the LTB website (tribunalsontario.ca/ltb)
Pay the filing fee — as of 2026, filing fees are approximately $186 for most landlord applications and $53 for tenant applications. Check the LTB website for current fees.
File online through the Tribunals Ontario Portal (tribunalsontario.ca) or by mail/in person
Serve the application on the other party — the LTB requires proof of service

The Hearing Process

Before the Hearing

The LTB will schedule a hearing date and send a Notice of Hearing to both parties
Most LTB hearings are conducted by videoconference (Microsoft Teams)
Prepare your evidence: gather documents, photos, receipts, text messages, emails, and anything else that supports your case
Organize your evidence and make copies for the other party and the adjudicator
If you have witnesses, make sure they are available and know the hearing date

Types of Hearings

Standard hearing — the most common type, where both parties present evidence and arguments
Mediation — the LTB offers mediation as a voluntary process where a mediator helps both parties reach an agreement. Either party can request mediation, but both must consent
Motion — a request to the Board for a specific interim order (adjournment, stay, etc.)

At the Hearing

The adjudicator will introduce themselves and explain the process
The party who filed the application presents their case first
The other party may cross-examine witnesses
The responding party then presents their case
The filing party may cross-examine
Both parties make closing submissions

Evidence Rules

The LTB is less formal than a court, but evidence still matters:

Documents (leases, receipts, photos, text messages, emails) are the most important evidence
Testimony — you can testify about what you personally witnessed or experienced
Witnesses — other people who have relevant knowledge can testify
The LTB can accept hearsay evidence (secondhand information) but will give it less weight than direct evidence
Present your evidence in an organized manner — consider creating a binder with numbered tabs

LTB Orders and Enforcement

After the hearing, the adjudicator will issue an order. Some orders are issued at the hearing; others are mailed within a few days or weeks.

Enforcing a Landlord's Order

If the order is for eviction, and the tenant does not leave by the termination date, the landlord must file the order with the Court Enforcement Office (Sheriff) to have the eviction carried out. Landlords cannot enforce an eviction themselves.
If the order is for money (rent arrears), and the tenant does not pay, the landlord can file the order with the Small Claims Court and use enforcement tools (garnishment, etc.)

Enforcing a Tenant's Order

If the LTB orders the landlord to pay money to the tenant and the landlord does not comply, the tenant can file the order as if it were a court judgment and use standard enforcement methods
If the LTB orders the landlord to perform repairs, failure to comply may result in the tenant filing a further application

Appeals

LTB orders can be appealed to the Divisional Court of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. An appeal is not a new hearing — the Divisional Court reviews the LTB's decision for errors of law.

Key points about appeals:

The deadline to file an appeal is 30 days from the date the order was issued
You must file a Notice of Appeal and pay the court filing fee
Appeals are complex and benefit from legal representation
Filing an appeal does not automatically stop the LTB order. If you want the order paused while the appeal is heard, you must bring a motion to stay the order

Important Timelines

| Event | Timeline | |-------|----------| | Landlord files L1 (rent arrears) | Can file once rent is overdue | | Tenant receives Notice of Hearing | Typically 2 to 8 weeks before the hearing date | | Hearing to order (standard) | Order usually issued within days to weeks | | Eviction enforcement | After the termination date in the order has passed | | Appeal to Divisional Court | 30 days from the date of the LTB order |

Note: The LTB has experienced significant delays in recent years. Wait times from application to hearing can extend to several months. Plan accordingly.

Common Mistakes — Landlords

Not using the correct form — using an L1 when the issue is not rent arrears will result in your application being rejected or dismissed
Improper service — if you did not properly serve the tenant with the application and notice, the hearing may be adjourned
Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities is illegal under the RTA. Only the Sheriff can enforce an eviction order
Incomplete applications — missing information on the form can delay your hearing
Not bringing evidence — telling the adjudicator what happened is not enough. Bring documents.

Common Mistakes — Tenants

Not filing a response — even if you disagree with the landlord's claims, you should participate in the hearing process
Withholding rent — in almost all cases, you should continue paying rent even if you have filed a T6 for maintenance. The LTB does not look favourably on tenants who unilaterally withhold rent
Not attending the hearing — if you do not attend, the LTB may issue an order in your absence based solely on the landlord's evidence
Ignoring an eviction order — if you have been ordered to leave, you must leave by the specified date or face enforcement by the Sheriff
Not requesting mediation — mediation can often resolve disputes faster and on better terms than a contested hearing

ProSe Landlord-Tenant Kit

Navigating the LTB process is stressful for both landlords and tenants. ProSe offers a dedicated Landlord-Tenant Kit that helps you prepare the right documents for your situation — whether you are filing an application, responding to one, or preparing for a hearing.

Learn more at BeProSe.ca/landlord-tenant or start for free at BeProSe.ca.

Key Resources

Landlord and Tenant Board — tribunalsontario.ca/ltb
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 — e-Laws Ontario (ontario.ca/laws)
LTB Forms — tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/forms
Steps to Justice — Housing — stepstojustice.ca
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) — cleo.on.ca
Tenant Duty Counsel — free legal advice for tenants at LTB hearings (contact your local community legal clinic)

Last reviewed: April 2026. LTB procedures and fees are subject to change. Verify current information at tribunalsontario.ca/ltb before filing.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed lawyer, paralegal, or community legal clinic.