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This brochure explains the basic steps involved in filing an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). An application filed with the LTB may deal with various landlord and tenant matters, such as:
The LTB provides landlords and tenants with information about their rights and obligations under the LTB, and helps landlords and tenants to resolve certain matters covered by the LTB. In order for the LTB to help resolve a matter, a landlord or tenant must first file an application with the LTB.
The application can be resolved either through adjudication or mediation.
In adjudication, a hearing is held. An LTB member makes a decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing, and issues a written decision called an order.
In mediation, an LTB mediator will help a landlord and tenant to resolve the application and reach an agreement they are both satisfied with. If the mediation is successful, the landlord and tenant can either sign a written agreement, or ask an adjudicator to write an order that shows what they have agreed to.
An application to the LTB can be filed by:
Note: If you owe money to the LTB for any fee, fine or costs, your application may be refused.
The person or company who files the application is called the applicant. The person or company against whom the application is filed is called the respondent. There can be more than one applicant and more than one respondent listed in the application.
In a landlord’s application, the respondent might be one or more tenants, a subtenant, or an unauthorized occupant of the rental unit.
In a tenant’s application, the respondent might be the landlord or an agent of the landlord. An agent might be someone who looks after the property for the landlord, such as a property manager or management company, or a superintendent.
The LTB has a number of different application forms that landlords and tenants can use depending on the matter they want the LTB to resolve. Each form has instructions on how to complete it, and what to do when it is completed.
For some applications, the law requires that certain documents be filed along with the application. The instructions for each application will explain what these required documents are.
Once an application is filed, LTB staff will look at the application to make sure that any required documents are included. If a document that is required by the RTA is missing from the application, staff will return the application to the client without processing it. The person filing the application is responsible for providing correct and accurate information in their application.
You can file an application by mail, courier, and by email with proof of payment made through the online payment portal attached to the email. LTB applications are also accepted in-person at over 60 ServiceOntario offices throughout the province.
Except for a limited number of circumstances, the LTB no longer accepts documents, including applications, by fax. Please contact the LTB at 1-888-332-3234 or visit https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/filing-and-fees/ for information about how to file.
All of the LTB’s applications, notices and other forms that a landlord or tenant might require in order to file an application are available on the LTB’s website. These documents can also be obtained by calling or visiting an LTB office or by visiting a ServiceOntario location that provides this service.
In most cases, you must pay a fee to file an application. The fee for an application varies by application type. Depending on how an application is filed, the fee can be paid by cash, money order, certified cheque, debit card, Visa or MasterCard.
The LTB will not accept applications without full payment, and does not accept postdated or uncertified cheques. Certified cheques and money orders must be made out to the “Minister of Finance”.
If an applicant combines two or more applications against the same respondent, the applicant only has to pay one application fee.
For example a landlord could file two different applications for two different reasons against the same tenant in the same unit. As long as these applications are made at the same time, the applicant is only required to pay one fee to cover the combined applications. If there are different fees required for two applications, or if one application has no fee and the other one does, the fee charged to the applicant will be the higher of the two. A tenant can also combine two or more applications and the same rules apply.
For a list of application fees, please see Filing and Fees.
When the LTB has processed your application, the LTB will usually schedule a hearing. Once a hearing is scheduled, in most cases the LTB will mail a copy of the Notice of Hearing and application to you and the respondents.
In some situations the LTB will order the applicant to serve the application on the other parties named in the application. If the LTB orders you to serve, then the LTB will give you two copies of your application. You must give one copy of the Notice of Hearing and one copy of your application to each party named in your application before the hearing. This is called serving the Notice of Hearing and application. If the LTB orders you to serve these documents, the Board will provide you with information and instructions on how and when to serve.
You should serve the Notice of Hearing and application as soon as possible. This will give the other parties time to prepare for the hearing, or to make arrangements to have a representative at the hearing.
If the LTB orders you to serve the application and Notice of Hearing on the other parties, you must also fill out a Certificate of Service to show how and when you did this. You must return the completed Certificate of Service to the LTB before your hearing. Certificate of Service forms are available from the LTB.
If you want to change something in your application after you have filed it with the LTB, you must make a written request to the LTB to amend your application.
If you make a request to amend your application to the LTB, you are also required to give a copy of your request to all other parties to the application (the respondent and their representative, if any). You should do this as soon as you have made your request to the LTB.
The decision to grant or deny your request will not be made until the hearing.
If you are the applicant and you wish to withdraw your application before the hearing, you should notify the LTB. It is preferable to do this in writing. You should provide your request to withdraw your application to the LTB well before the hearing begins. In most cases, if you request to withdraw your application, the LTB will close your file and cancel the hearing if one has been scheduled.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform the respondent that they have withdrawn their application.
Note: If a tenant’s application alleges that the landlord has harassed them, the tenant must always get the LTB’s permission to withdraw the application.
This brochure provides general information only. For more information about the law, or to obtain copies of the LTB’s forms and publications, you can: