Plain-language overview
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the tribunal that decides most disputes between residential landlords and tenants in Ontario. When an application is filed — by either side — the Board schedules a hearing and sends a Notice of Hearing stating the date, time, and format. Many LTB hearings are currently held by videoconference, with other formats available in some circumstances; the notice tells you what applies to your case.
Hearings are decided on evidence. Each side can present documents, photos, and testimony, and respond to the other side's case. The LTB has rules about disclosing evidence in advance — the Notice of Hearing and the Board's rules explain the deadlines and how to submit materials. Evidence that is not properly submitted may not be considered, so read those instructions early, not the night before.
You do not have to face a hearing alone. Tenants can be represented by a lawyer, a licensed paralegal, or in many cases assisted by community legal clinic staff. On many hearing days, Tenant Duty Counsel — free lawyers or paralegals arranged through Legal Aid Ontario — may be available to give brief advice, help negotiate, or assist with the hearing. Arriving early and asking for duty counsel is one of the most valuable things an unrepresented tenant can do.
Missing a hearing is one of the costliest mistakes in this system: the Board can generally proceed and issue an order in your absence. If something prevents you from attending, contact the LTB before the hearing about rescheduling; if you have already missed one, ask immediately about requesting a review of the order — the timelines are generally very short.
After a hearing, the Board issues a written order. Limited options generally exist to challenge an order: a request to review at the LTB in defined circumstances, or an appeal to Divisional Court generally restricted to questions of law. Both have strict, short deadlines, and professional advice is strongly recommended before either step.
Common warning signs
None of these prove anything on their own — but they are worth noticing and writing down when they happen.
- A Notice of Hearing you have not read carefully — the format, joining instructions, and evidence deadlines are all in it.
- Evidence sitting in your phone rather than submitted the way the Board requires.
- Pressure to agree to a settlement in the hallway or breakout room without understanding it — you can generally ask duty counsel to review terms first.
- Assuming the hearing will be adjourned or "is just procedural" — decide nothing based on assumptions.
- Missed mail or email from the LTB because your contact information changed.
- An order arriving after a hearing you did not attend.
- Deadlines on an order (payment plans, move-out dates, review windows) you have not calendared.
Facts that matter
These are the details a legal clinic, representative, or the Landlord and Tenant Board will usually want to know. Pinning them down early makes every later step easier.
- The application type and file number, and exactly what the other side is asking for.
- The hearing date, time, format, and joining instructions.
- Every deadline: evidence disclosure, written submissions, and any steps the notice requires.
- The chronology of your dispute, organized by date, with each fact tied to a document or witness.
- What outcome you are asking for, stated clearly — and any fallback you could live with.
- Witnesses: who saw what, and whether they can attend.
- Your circumstances relevant to remedies — for eviction cases, the Board can generally consider circumstances when deciding what order to make.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve originals — never edit photos, messages, or documents. The Evidence Vault and Timeline tools are built for exactly this.
- The Notice of Hearing and every document the LTB or the other side has sent you.
- The application against you (or your application) and all attachments.
- Your evidence organized by issue and date: photos, messages, receipts, notices, reports.
- Proof you submitted evidence to the Board and the other side by the deadline.
- A one-page chronology to speak from at the hearing.
- Notes of any settlement discussions and exactly what was agreed or not agreed.
- The final order, the date you received it, and your notes from the hearing itself.
Possible official processes
Depending on your facts, one or more of these processes may apply. Whether and how to use them is a decision worth making with a qualified legal professional — deadlines and exceptions may apply.
Hearing participation: join on time, in the format specified; ask for Tenant Duty Counsel if available; present evidence according to the Board's rules and directions.
Rescheduling and adjournments: requests generally follow LTB rules and are not automatic — contact the Board as early as possible with reasons.
Review of an order: in defined circumstances (for example, not reasonably having been able to participate), a party can generally request the LTB review an order within a short deadline.
Appeal: LTB orders can generally be appealed to Divisional Court only on questions of law, within strict timelines — professional advice is strongly recommended first.
Urgent exceptions
Act quickly if this applies
Act quickly if this applies
Important exceptions
Almost every rule above has exceptions. These are the ones most likely to change the picture — a qualified legal professional should confirm how they apply to your situation.
- Procedures vary by application type and change over time — the LTB's current rules, practice directions, and your specific Notice of Hearing take precedence over any general description.
- Settlement (mediation or agreement) is often available and can be a good outcome — but agreements are binding, so understand terms before consenting.
- Some orders can be issued without a hearing in defined circumstances; responding to Board correspondence promptly protects your right to be heard.
Official sources
Related tools
Tools that help you document, track, and organize this kind of issue.
This is legal information, not legal advice. RTO Pro is not a law firm. Deadlines and exceptions may apply to your situation — a qualified legal professional should confirm anything important before you rely on it.