Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)임대차 심판소

What is it?

The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the body that decides disputes between landlords and tenants under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). It is not a court, but it is a “tribunal” that works much like one, and it is part of Tribunals Ontario, a group of provincial tribunals.

Only the LTB can decide applications under the Act (s. 168 (2)). A landlord who wants a tenant out must get an LTB order, and a tenant who wants money back or repairs done applies to the LTB too.

The LTB gives general information about the law, but it does not take sides or give legal advice. Its old name was the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (s. 168 (1)).

What does it decide?

• Evictions: whether a tenancy ends for a reason the Act allows, such as unpaid rent, the landlord, a family member or a buyer moving in (N12), serious disturbance or damage, or demolition and major repairs.
• Money: rent owed, refunds of money a landlord collected against the Act (for example a damage deposit), and compensation for damage a tenant caused.
• Tenant rights: harassment, entry without permission, changed locks (lockouts), cut-off services.
• Maintenance: repair orders or rent reductions when the landlord does not keep the home in good repair.
• Rent: approval of increases above the guideline (L5), refunds of unlawful increases (T1), and rent reductions when services are cut or property taxes go down (T3).
• Other: whether the Act applies to a rental (A1), whether a refusal to sublet or assign was reasonable (A2), and evictions from non-profit housing co-ops.

The LTB can order payment of up to “the greater of $10,000 and the monetary jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court” (s. 207 (1)). A bigger claim goes to court.

Common applications

Forms that start with “N” (N1, N4, N9, N12 and so on) are notices you give to the other side, not applications to the LTB. After the notice period ends, the landlord files an “L” application or the tenant files a “T” application.

On July 1 and September 21, 2026 the LTB changed some forms and processes because of amendments to the Act (Bill 60 and Bill 97). Always download the current form from the LTB website.

What are the fees?

From the LTB website on October 30, 2026. Fees are non-refundable. If you combine two applications against the same respondent, you pay one fee (the higher one). A Fee Waiver Request form exists for people who cannot afford the fee.

From application to decision

1. For an eviction, first give the tenant the right notice (N4, N12 and so on) and wait until the notice period ends.
2. File L1, L2, L3, L4, L9, L10, T1, T2, T5 and T6 online on the Tribunals Ontario Portal. Other applications are filed by email (after paying online), by mail or courier, or in person at ServiceOntario.
3. The LTB schedules a hearing and sends the Notice of Hearing to both sides by mail or email. Sometimes it orders the applicant to serve the documents on the other side.
4. Give the other side a complete copy of your evidence (photos, texts, receipts) at least 7 business days before the hearing (5 days for responding evidence) and upload it to the Portal.
5. Before the hearing you can try to settle through the Portal’s online dispute resolution (ODR) or mediation with a Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO). A settlement can be turned into an order.
6. Most hearings are held by Zoom video or phone. Log in at least 15 minutes early; if you are not there when your case is called, it may go ahead without you.
7. The decision (order) usually arrives by mail or email within 30 days after the hearing. If nothing has arrived after 60 days, email LTB@ontario.ca.
8. If something is wrong with the order, you can file a Request to Review within 15 days ($58, one request only) or appeal to the Divisional Court within 30 days on a question of law only (s. 210).

How long does it take?

The LTB contact page has a section called “Application and Processing Timelines”. The version we opened on October 30, 2026 (last updated November 27, 2024) gives these averages.

These are 2024 figures and vary by type and urgency. Check the LTB website for the current numbers. When you buy or sell a tenanted home, these waits can affect your closing.

How are hearings held? What about a Korean interpreter?

There are three kinds of hearing: virtual (Zoom video or phone), written (used mainly for L5 above-guideline increases and A4), and in person (only with an approved accommodation request based on a Human Rights Code need or fairness). Most hearings are virtual, and the LTB decides the format.

A lawyer, a paralegal, or a friend or relative can represent you. But the LTB does not usually provide interpreters for languages other than English and French. If you need a Korean interpreter, you must bring someone you know who speaks English or hire an interpreter. Sign language interpretation and real-time captioning are provided on request.

If you cannot take part, for example because you have no computer or phone, file an Accommodation Request form in advance.

Contact and where to get help

• Phone: 1-888-332-3234 (toll free) or 416-645-8080 (Toronto), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff explain the law and the process but cannot give legal advice. An automated menu runs 24 hours a day.
• Mail or courier: Landlord and Tenant Board, 15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor, Toronto, ON M7A 2G6. No in-person filing at this address.
• In person: filing only, at 80 ServiceOntario locations across Ontario. Staff there cannot explain the law.
• Find the right step for your situation: Navigate Tribunals Ontario, an online tool that asks questions and maps possible solutions.
• Legal help: tenants can contact the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario and small landlords the Landlord Self-Help Centre (both funded by Legal Aid Ontario). CLEO’s Steps to Justice website explains housing law.

Why it matters when you buy or sell

If you buy a tenanted home to live in, the selling landlord gives the tenant an N12 on your behalf (in a building with no more than three units, or a single condo unit), and if the tenant does not leave, an L2 application and an LTB hearing follow. Given the timelines above, you may not get vacant possession by your closing date. Talk to your lawyer and to me about how to write the agreement.

If you buy as an investor, check whether an L5 (above-guideline increase) application is under way for the building and whether the tenant has filed a T6 (maintenance) application. On July 24, 2026 the LTB posted an operational update titled “Increasing Public Access to Final LTB Orders”, so check the LTB website for how orders are now made public.

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