The Accommodation Request (form TO001E) is the Tribunals Ontario form used at the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to ask for alternate arrangements so you can take part fully in a proceeding. It covers two kinds of need: one related to the Human Rights Code, such as a disability, and a procedural fairness concern, such as a hearing format that would make the hearing unfair. Landlords, their representatives, witnesses and support people can all use it.
At a glance
| Who uses it | Any party, representative, witness or support person (LTB Rule 7.0) |
| When | As soon as you know you need accommodation |
| Deadline | None fixed. Tribunals Ontario says most responses take two to five weeks |
| How it is filed | Email to LTB@ontario.ca or mail to 15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor, Toronto ON M7A 2G6. The LTB forms page also lists the Tribunals Ontario Portal and ServiceOntario |
| Fee | None |
| Follow-on form | None. The tribunal contacts you with its decision |
What the form is for
LTB Rule 7.0 states that a party, representative, witness or support person is entitled to accommodation in accordance with the Human Rights Code, and should notify the LTB as soon as possible. Tribunals Ontario's guidance says accommodation will be provided to the point of undue hardship. The form gives examples:
- forms in accessible formats (large print, Braille);
- a sign language interpreter (ASL or LSQ), a deaf-blind intervener, or real-time captioning (CART);
- extra breaks or more time to present evidence, to support mental health needs;
- technology support, such as access to a computer location, a loaned phone or top-up airtime minutes for a pay-as-you-go plan;
- a change of hearing format where the current format would likely cause significant prejudice. The tribunal applies the Practice Direction on Hearing Formats to these requests.
The tribunal balances your request against the other parties' right to a fair hearing and the public interest in efficient proceedings. If it grants accommodation, the arrangement may differ from the one you asked for.
When to use it (and when not to)
Use it when:
- you, your representative or your witness has a disability-related need for the hearing;
- you have no reliable computer, internet or phone for a video or phone hearing;
- the scheduled format would be unfair in your circumstances, for example a large volume of documentary evidence that cannot fairly be presented by phone.
Do not use it for:
- simply wanting more time. Rescheduling and adjournments have their own process. Tribunals Ontario's page says the accommodation process is not the route for that;
- interpretation into a language other than English or French. Tribunals Ontario treats that as a separate interpreter request. Ask the LTB as early as possible. French-language services have their own request form;
- objecting to an electronic or written hearing. Those objections must be in writing and are due by the date set in the notice of hearing (Rules 7.2 and 7.3). You can use the accommodation form for a format change on fairness grounds, but do not miss the objection deadline in the notice.
How to fill out the form, section by section
A. General Application / Appeal Information 1. Requester's role. Tick Landlord, Representative, Witness or another role. A representative should also indicate the client's role. 2. Mailing address, email and phone. 3. Applicable Tribunal. Tick Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). 4. File Number, Date of Request, Date of Scheduled Proceeding. Leave the hearing date blank if none is set. 5. Current Format of Proceeding. Video conference, teleconference, in person, written, or not yet scheduled.
B. Request Details 6. Tick Human Rights Code need or procedural fairness need, or both. 7. Explain the need, how it affects your participation or the fairness of the hearing, and what arrangement would help. The form warns that a request "may be denied if you do not provide enough detail". Attach supporting documents where useful, for example a medical note confirming a functional limitation.
C. Next Steps. This section tells you where to send the form. For the LTB, that is LTB@ontario.ca.
Filing it and privacy
Send it as early as you can so the hearing is not delayed. The form says that if your request can be resolved without an adjudicative decision, the form is not part of the tribunal's record. In most cases, other parties and the public cannot see it, although disclosure under FIPPA remains possible. If an adjudicative decision is needed, the form may become publicly available under the Access to Records Policy, unless you obtain a confidentiality order.
Mistakes that get a request denied or come too late
- Not enough detail. "I need accommodation" with no explanation is the commonest reason for denial. Say what the barrier is and what would remove it.
- Waiting until the week of the hearing. Responses usually take two to five weeks. A late request may lead to an adjournment, or may simply not be in place.
- Using it as an adjournment request. The accommodation process is not a substitute for the rescheduling rules.
- Missing the format-objection deadline in the notice of hearing. Rule 7.2 requires a written objection showing significant prejudice by the stated date.
- Assuming the request was granted. Wait for the decision.
What happens next
The LTB reviews the request and may contact you for more information. It then issues a decision. If accommodation becomes unavailable, the tribunal says it will let the parties know and reschedule or adjust the proceeding so it remains accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord ask the LTB for accommodation?
Yes. Rule 7.0 extends accommodation to any party, representative, witness or support person.
I do not have a computer for my video hearing. What do I do?
Use the Accommodation Request form. Tribunals Ontario can arrange a computer access terminal near you, loan a phone, or provide airtime minutes. You can also join a video hearing by phone.
How long does an LTB accommodation request take?
Tribunals Ontario says most people receive a response within two to five weeks. It may take longer where hearings are scheduled further out.
Will the tenant see my accommodation request?
If the request can be resolved without an adjudicative decision, the form is generally not part of the record. If a decision is needed, it may become public unless a confidentiality order is made.