LTB Hearing Preparation Checklist: What to Bring and How to Get Ready (2026)

Preparing for a Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearing can be overwhelming, especially if you have never been to a tribunal before. This checklist will help you organize your case, gather the right documents, and walk into your hearing with confidence.

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.

Before Your Hearing: The Essentials

Your LTB hearing will most likely take place by videoconference on Microsoft Teams. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, the preparation steps are largely the same.

1. Confirm Your Hearing Date and Time

Check your Notice of Hearing for the exact date, time, and videoconference link
If you received a case management hearing notice, that is different from a merit hearing — read it carefully
Mark the date in your calendar and set reminders for the day before and the morning of
If you cannot attend on the scheduled date, you must request an adjournment as early as possible — do not simply skip the hearing

2. Understand the Application

Read the application that was filed (whether you filed it or the other party did)
Identify exactly what is being requested — eviction, money, repairs, rent reduction, etc.
Note the specific grounds cited (which sections of the RTA are referenced)
If you are the respondent, prepare your response to each allegation

Your Document Checklist

Gather and organize the following documents. Not every item will apply to your case — focus on the ones relevant to your dispute.

For All Cases

[ ] Your lease or rental agreement (written or verbal — if verbal, write down the key terms you agreed to)
[ ] Notice of Hearing from the LTB
[ ] The application that was filed (L1, L2, T2, T6, etc.)
[ ] Any notices served by either party (N4, N5, N7, N12, N13, etc.)
[ ] Proof of service for any documents you served on the other party
[ ] Rent receipts or bank statements showing rent payments
[ ] Photos with dates — of the unit, damage, maintenance issues, etc.
[ ] Text messages, emails, or letters between you and the other party
[ ] A written timeline of events — what happened and when, in chronological order

For Rent Arrears Cases (L1/L9)

[ ] A clear rent ledger showing: monthly rent amount, date each payment was due, date each payment was made (or not made), and the running balance
[ ] Bank statements or e-transfer confirmations showing payments made
[ ] Any written agreements about payment plans
[ ] Receipts for any partial payments

For Maintenance and Repair Cases (T6)

[ ] Photos or videos of the maintenance issue (with dates)
[ ] Written requests you sent to the landlord asking for repairs (emails, texts, letters)
[ ] Any responses from the landlord
[ ] Inspection reports from municipal property standards, public health, or a licensed inspector
[ ] Receipts for any expenses you incurred because of the maintenance issue (e.g., buying a space heater because the furnace was broken)

For Harassment or Interference Cases (T2)

[ ] A detailed log of each incident — date, time, what happened, who was involved, any witnesses
[ ] Text messages, emails, voicemails, or letters that demonstrate harassment
[ ] Photos or videos if applicable
[ ] Police reports or incident numbers if police were called
[ ] Contact information for any witnesses who can testify

For Eviction Cases (L2)

[ ] The notice of termination served on the tenant (N5, N7, N12, N13, etc.)
[ ] Proof of service of the notice
[ ] Evidence supporting the grounds for eviction (photos of damage, noise complaints from other tenants, police reports, etc.)
[ ] If evicting for landlord's own use (N12): a signed affidavit stating the landlord genuinely intends to occupy the unit

How to Organize Your Evidence

The adjudicator will expect your evidence to be organized and easy to follow. Here is how:

Create a document brief — a package of all your documents, organized with numbered tabs or dividers
Number every page — the adjudicator may refer to pages by number
Put documents in chronological order — earliest first
Prepare three copies — one for yourself, one for the other party, and one for the adjudicator
For videoconference hearings — have digital copies ready to share via Microsoft Teams chat, and also have physical copies in front of you for quick reference
Label photos with the date taken and a brief description of what they show

Preparing Your Testimony

You will likely need to testify — to tell the adjudicator what happened in your own words. To prepare:

Write out your key points — not a script, but bullet points of the facts you need to cover
Stick to facts — what you personally saw, heard, or experienced. Avoid opinions or speculation.
Be concise — the adjudicator has a busy schedule. Get to the point.
Practice — run through your testimony out loud at least once before the hearing
Prepare for cross-examination — the other party (or their representative) will be allowed to ask you questions. Stay calm and answer honestly.

What to Expect on Hearing Day

Before the Hearing Starts

Log in early — join the Microsoft Teams meeting at least 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time
Test your technology — make sure your microphone, camera, and internet connection are working
Find a quiet space — minimize background noise and distractions
Have your documents ready — both physical copies and digital files on your computer

During the Hearing

The adjudicator will introduce themselves and explain the process
The party who filed the application presents their case first — this means testifying and presenting evidence
The other party may cross-examine (ask questions)
The responding party then presents their case
The filing party may cross-examine
Both parties make closing submissions (a brief summary of their position)

Important Rules

Address the adjudicator respectfully — "Member" or "Adjudicator" is appropriate
Do not interrupt the other party — you will get your turn
Answer questions directly — if you do not know the answer, say so
Tell the truth — you may be asked to affirm that your testimony is truthful. Lying to a tribunal is a serious matter.
Mute your microphone when you are not speaking

Mediation

Before or at the hearing, you may be offered mediation — a process where a mediator helps both parties negotiate a settlement.

Mediation is voluntary — both parties must agree to participate
Anything said during mediation is confidential and cannot be used at the hearing if mediation fails
If you reach an agreement, it becomes a binding order of the LTB
Mediation often produces better outcomes than a contested hearing — consider it seriously

After the Hearing

The adjudicator may issue an order at the hearing or reserve their decision and mail it later
Read the order carefully — it will specify what each party must do and by when
If you disagree with the order, you have 30 days to appeal to the Divisional Court
If the other party does not comply with the order, you may need to take enforcement steps (filing with the Sheriff for eviction orders, or with Small Claims Court for money orders)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not showing up — if you do not attend, the adjudicator may decide the case without you
Bringing disorganized evidence — a pile of loose papers is hard for the adjudicator to follow and weakens your case
Getting emotional or argumentative — stay calm and professional, even if the other party is difficult
Not bringing enough copies — always have copies for the adjudicator and the other party
Forgetting to bring the basics — your lease, the application, and the Notice of Hearing are essential
Not preparing a rent ledger (for arrears cases) — the adjudicator needs to see exact numbers
Waiting until the last minute — start preparing at least one week before your hearing

Free Resources

Tenant Duty Counsel — free legal advice for tenants at LTB hearings. Contact your local community legal clinic to find out if duty counsel is available for your hearing.
Steps to Justice (stepstojustice.ca) — plain-language legal information about housing issues
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) — cleo.on.ca
Landlord and Tenant Board — tribunalsontario.ca/ltb
LTB Practice Directions — tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/rules-practice-directions-guidelines (important procedural guidance)

ProSe Can Help

Need to prepare documents for your LTB hearing? ProSe helps you create court-ready affidavits, demand letters, and other documents from simple questions. Your first document is free.

Get started at BeProSe.ca → or explore the Landlord-Tenant Kit for a complete package.

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

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.