The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) falls under the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and it is governed by the Residential Tenancy Act S.O. 2006. The purpose of the Board "is to provide information about the Residential Tenancy Act and to resolve disputes between most residential landlords and tenants" which includes but not limited to rent arrears and evictions.
As a landlord, you may wish to bring a tenant before the LTB for any of the following reasons:
- Nonpayment of rent
- Late payment of rent
- Complaints by other tenants
- Damages to rental unit
- Tenant breaks the lease
- Illegal behaviour by tenant or guest
- Application to tear-down property to use for other purposes
- Sale of property or assignment of lease to family members
As a tenant, you may wish to bring a landlord before the LTB for any of the following reasons:
- Landlord doesn't fix a problem with the unit
- Landlord doesn't fix a problem properly
- Landlord doesn't fix a problem quickly enough
- Unfair rent increases
- Harassment and discrimination (due to race, place of origin or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or disability)
- Landlord fails to insure property
- Landlord fails to provide vital services
- Landlord invades privacy
- Landlord unlawfully evicts tenant
- Landlord fails to provide tenancy documents
- Landlord evicts tenant due to children in the home (number of children, noise)
Landlord's Responsibilities:
- Repair the rental property
- Maintain the rental property
- Meet property standards
- Follow the fire safety laws
- Not interfere with vital services
- Give notice to enter the rental unit
- Refrain from harassment and discrimination
Tenant's Responsibilities:
- Keep the unit clean
- Repair damage
- Pay rent on time
- Refrain from illegal behaviour
Representing yourself at the Landlord and Tenant Board can be a daunting task due to the strict practices and procedures that must be adhered to. The paralegals at Joston Legal Services will be your representative throughout the tribunal process.