Landlord and Tenant Board Ontario: A Complete Guide for Tenants
What the LTB is, which form matches your problem, the deadlines that actually matter, and what to expect at a hearing — in plain language.
What the LTB Is (and Is Not)
The Landlord and Tenant Board is the Ontario tribunal that decides most disputes between residential landlords and tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA). It is not a court, and its process is meant to be usable without a lawyer. The Board can order evictions, repairs, rent abatements, repayment of illegal charges, and compensation — but only after an application is filed and both sides have a chance to be heard.
Two things the LTB is not: it is not the place for disputes about most non-residential tenancies, and it is not self-enforcing — an eviction order is carried out only by the Court Enforcement Office (the sheriff), never by the landlord personally.
Notices vs. Applications: N-Forms, T-Forms, L-Forms
The single most useful thing to understand about the LTB is the difference between a notice and an application:
- N-forms are notices. An N4 (non-payment of rent) or N12 (landlord's own use) is a warning that the landlord intends to seek an eviction. A notice does not end your tenancy and does not require you to move out.
- T-forms are tenant applications. These open a case where you are asking the Board to order something — repairs, an abatement, compensation.
- L-forms are landlord applications. These are how a landlord actually asks the Board for an eviction or for money. If you receive a notice of hearing on an L-application, that is the case to prepare for.
If you have received an N4 specifically, we keep a detailed page on how to respond to an N4 notice — including the fact that paying the arrears within the notice period voids it. For an N12, see your rights when a landlord claims personal use.
The Two Tenant Applications You Will Hear About Most
T2 — Application about Tenant Rights
The T2 covers landlord conduct: harassment, illegal entry, withholding vital services, changing the locks, or substantially interfering with your reasonable enjoyment of the unit. The Board can order the conduct to stop, order a rent abatement, and order compensation. Our step-by-step T2 guide walks through the form itself.
T6 — Application about Maintenance
The T6 is for repair and maintenance failures: mould, pests, broken heat, water damage, unsafe conditions. Under s. 20 of the RTA the landlord must keep the unit in a good state of repair — even if the problem existed when you moved in. The Board can order the repairs done, order a rent abatement for the period the problem existed, and order you compensated for damaged belongings or out-of-pocket costs. Our T6 guide covers the evidence that makes these applications succeed.
Filing an Application, Step by Step
- Document everything first. Dates, photos, written requests to the landlord, text messages, receipts. LTB cases are won on records, not recollections.
- Pick the right form. The official forms are published by Tribunals Ontario. Filing the wrong application type is a common reason cases stall.
- Complete and file it — online through the Tribunals Ontario portal, by email, or by mail — and pay the filing fee (or request a fee waiver if you qualify; fee amounts are on the LTB site).
- Watch for the Notice of Hearing. The Board schedules the hearing and tells both parties when and how it will happen (most hearings are by video).
- Disclose your evidence on time. The Board's rules require you to share your evidence with the other side and the Board before the hearing — check the deadline printed on your Notice of Hearing and follow it exactly.
At the Hearing
- Tenant Duty Counsel is available on many hearing days — free, and worth speaking to before your case is called, especially for evictions.
- The member runs the hearing. Each side tells its story, presents documents and photos, and can question the other side. Stay factual and chronological.
- Bring your numbers. If you are asking for an abatement, be ready to say what percentage of rent, for what period, and why.
- The order comes in writing. Most decisions are issued after the hearing. Read the order carefully — it states exactly what was decided and any deadlines for review.
Rent Increases, in Brief
For most units, a landlord can raise the rent at most once every 12 months, must give 90 days' written notice on the proper form, and is capped by the provincial rent increase guideline unless the Board approves an above-guideline increase. Units first occupied for residential use after November 15, 2018 are generally exempt from the guideline cap. If you were charged an illegal increase, the T1 application exists to get that money back — within its one-year window.
Common Tenant Mistakes
- Treating a notice as an eviction and moving out when no order exists
- Withholding rent over repairs instead of filing a T6 — it invites an N4
- Missing the one-year filing window for T-applications
- Arriving without documents — undated photos and verbal complaints carry little weight
- Ignoring the evidence-disclosure deadline on the Notice of Hearing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)?
The LTB is the Ontario tribunal that resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. It handles evictions, maintenance complaints, illegal rent increases, harassment applications, and more. It is part of Tribunals Ontario and is separate from the court system.
How long do I have to file a tenant application at the LTB?
Most tenant applications (like the T2 for tenant rights and the T6 for maintenance) must be filed within one year of the conduct you are complaining about — see s. 29 of the Residential Tenancies Act. A T1 to recover illegally collected money must be filed within one year of the collection (RTA s. 135(4)). If something is ongoing, the one-year window generally runs from each incident.
What is the difference between an N-form and a T-form or L-form?
N-forms are notices one party gives the other (for example, an N4 notice for non-payment of rent) — they do not start a case at the LTB by themselves. T-forms are tenant applications and L-forms are landlord applications — those are the documents that actually open a file at the Board.
Does an N4 notice mean I am evicted?
No. An N4 is a notice, not an eviction order. Only the LTB can order an eviction, and only the Court Enforcement Office (sheriff) can enforce one. After an N4, the landlord must still file an application, the Board must hold a hearing, and you have the right to attend and respond. Paying the arrears set out in the N4 within the notice period voids it.
How much does it cost to file a tenant application?
The LTB charges a filing fee for most applications, and fee waivers are available for people with low incomes. Fee amounts change from time to time, so check the current fee schedule on the Tribunals Ontario website before filing, or ask about the fee waiver request when you file.
What happens at an LTB hearing?
Most LTB hearings are held by videoconference. A Board member hears both sides: each party presents evidence, may call witnesses, and can question the other side's evidence. The member then issues a written order, usually mailed or emailed after the hearing. Duty counsel (Tenant Duty Counsel) is often available on hearing days to give tenants free legal advice.
Can my landlord raise the rent as much as they want?
For most rental units, annual rent increases are capped by Ontario's rent increase guideline and require 90 days' written notice on the proper form. Some units — generally those first occupied for residential use after November 15, 2018 — are exempt from the guideline. The current guideline percentage is published each year by the Ontario government.
What if my landlord will not do repairs?
Landlords are responsible for keeping the unit in a good state of repair and complying with health, safety, and housing standards, even if the tenant knew about problems when they moved in (RTA s. 20). Document the problems, tell the landlord in writing, and if repairs still are not done you can file a T6 (Tenant Application about Maintenance) at the LTB.
Can I stop paying rent if my landlord ignores repairs?
Withholding rent is risky: non-payment can lead to an N4 notice and an eviction application against you, even when your complaints are legitimate. The safer route recognized by the Residential Tenancies Act is to keep paying and file a T6 application, where the Board can order repairs, a rent abatement, or both.
Do I need a lawyer or paralegal for the LTB?
No — many tenants represent themselves at the LTB, and the process is designed to be accessible. Paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario are authorized to represent clients at the LTB, and Tenant Duty Counsel offers free advice on many hearing days. Whether to hire representation is your decision; complex cases and eviction hearings are where advice helps most.