The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Rules of Procedure govern how an Ontario landlord serves documents, files applications, discloses evidence, asks for a new hearing date and challenges an order. The Practice Directions sit beside them and explain what the LTB expects in practice. Both were updated on September 21, 2026. This guide walks through the rules landlords rely on most, using the current rule numbers.
At a glance
| Topic | Current rule | The landlord's key deadline or requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Counting days | 1.12 to 1.16 | Calendar days; exclude the first day, include the last |
| Service methods | 3.1 to 3.9 | Mail is deemed served on the 5th day after mailing |
| Certificate of Service | 3.8, 5.15 | File within 5 days of service when required |
| Filing | 4.1 to 4.10 | Notice and Certificate of Service with the Portal application, or within 5 calendar days |
| Refusal of applications | 6 | Timing errors (e.g. L1 filed on or before the N4 termination date) |
| L1/L9 hearings | 10 | L1/L9 Information Update at least 5 days before the hearing |
| Disclosure | 19 | Evidence at least 7 days before; responding evidence at least 5 days before |
| Rescheduling | 21.1 | On consent, at least 5 business days before |
| Costs | 23 | Representation costs capped at $100 per hour, $700 maximum |
| Review | 26 | 15 days for orders issued on or after July 1, 2026 |
Where the Rules fit
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) is the law. Section 184 applies the Statutory Powers Procedure Act to LTB proceedings, and s. 193 says time is computed under the Rules. The LTB can vary or waive a rule except where legislation or a specific rule prohibits it (Rule 1.4.2). Practice Directions, issued under Rule 1.2, explain how the Rules work in practice; the LTB's Law, rules and decisions page lists them all. Interpretation Guidelines are different again: they explain how the LTB may decide legal issues.
What changed on September 21, 2026
Tribunals Ontario says the Rules were updated "to improve clarity and formatting, reflect recent legislative amendments, and align with current practices". Two practical points for landlords:
- The numbering has been consolidated. Older LTB documents cite general rules with an "A" prefix and lettered paragraphs. For example, the Practice Direction on Representation still cites "Rule A3.1(b)" for the principle that the Rules are interpreted to let parties participate with or without a representative (now Rule 1.3.1, paragraph 2) and "Rule 1.6(q)" for permitting a representative to give evidence (now Rule 1.6, paragraph 17). Use the current numbers in any request or submission.
- New substantive content reflects Bill 60: Rule 19.4 now requires the s. 82 half-of-arrears payment, Rule 19.5.1 preserves the old rules for arrears applications filed before September 21, 2026, and Rules 26.4 and 26.5 set the 30-day and 15-day review deadlines depending on when the order was issued.
Counting time (Rules 1.12 to 1.16)
Days are calendar days. Exclude the first day and include the last. If a deadline ends on a "holiday" (defined in Rule 1.1 as any Saturday, Sunday or other day the LTB's offices are closed), you can act on the next day that is not a holiday. A notice can still be delivered, and take effect, on a holiday. These timing rules cannot be waived or varied.
Serving documents (Rule 3)
Rule 3.1 adds to the methods in s. 191 of the RTA. A document can be served on a person in possession of the unit by hand (including to an apparently adult person in the unit), by leaving it where mail is ordinarily delivered or sliding it under the door or through a mail slot, by mail, by courier, by fax (under 20 pages unless the recipient consents), by email if the person consented in writing, or by uploading it to the Tribunals Ontario Portal if the person consented in writing to Portal service. A notice of entry can also be posted on the door (Rule 3.2); other notices cannot.
Service on a former tenant no longer in the unit is more limited (Rule 3.3), and a request for alternative service on a former tenant must be made at least 40 days before the hearing (Rule 3.4).
When service happens (Rule 3.9): mail, the 5th day after mailing; Xpresspost, the 5th day unless earlier delivery is proven; courier, the day after it was given to the courier (or the next non-holiday; Rule 1.1 defines "holiday" to include Saturdays and Sundays, so in practice the next business day); email, the day sent; hand delivery, the day given; Portal, the day uploaded. Build these days into every notice period.
Filing with the LTB (Rule 4)
Documents can be filed by Portal upload, by email to LTB@ontario.ca, in person at a ServiceOntario centre that accepts LTB documents, by courier to 15 Grosvenor Street, or by mail (Rule 4.1). An email containing payment card information will not be accepted. When you file an application on the Portal, upload the notice of termination, any affidavit and the Certificate of Service at the same time (Rule 4.4) or within 5 calendar days (Rule 4.5), or the application may be administratively dismissed. Lawyers and paralegals must also follow the Practice Direction requiring them to use the Portal (Rule 4.2.1). See the Tribunals Ontario Portal guide.
Service of the application and hearing notice (Rule 5)
The LTB normally serves the application and Notice of Hearing itself, but it never serves your evidence (Rule 5.1). Where you must serve, the timelines are strict: an L10 and its Notice of Hearing at least 30 days before the hearing, with the Certificate of Service filed at least 20 days before (Rules 5.8 and 5.16); most other directed service at least 15 days before (Rule 5.9).
Applications the LTB will refuse (Rule 6)
The LTB will not accept, among others: an L1 filed on or before the N4 termination date (6.7); an application based on an N5-type notice under ss. 62, 64 or 67 filed before the 7-day remedy period expires (6.8); an eviction application filed more than 30 days after the termination date, except for non-payment of rent (6.9); an application missing required documents (6.10); or an N12/N13 application without Part C of Schedule A or B completed (6.11). An applicant who owes the LTB a fine, fee or costs cannot file a new non-urgent application until it is paid (6.1).
Hearings, representatives and summonses (Rule 7)
The LTB decides the hearing format and may hold all or part of a hearing by video, phone, in writing or in person (Rule 7.1). An objection to an electronic hearing must be in writing and show significant prejudice (Rule 7.2). Hearings are open to the public unless the LTB orders otherwise.
Parties may represent themselves, use a lawyer or paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, or use an unlicensed person only where the Law Society's exemptions allow it (Rule 7.13). The Practice Direction on Representation lists examples: an unpaid friend or neighbour (no more than three matters a year), an unpaid family member, legal clinic staff and volunteers, and an employee acting only for their employer. A corporate landlord can be represented by an employee or other person with authority to bind it.
To compel a witness, file a Request for the LTB to Issue a Summons as soon as you know you need one; if you have a lawyer or paralegal, they must prepare the summons (Rule 7.5). You serve the summons and pay attendance money (Rule 7.6).
Case management hearings and L1/L9 hearings (Rules 9 and 10)
An applicant who misses a case management hearing without exceptional circumstances risks having the application dismissed as abandoned (Rule 9.4). On an L1 or L9, the landlord must give the LTB and each tenant a completed L1/L9 Information Update at least 5 days before the hearing (Rule 10.2). If you do not, the LTB may have it completed during the hearing or decline to award your filing fee as costs (Rule 10.3).
Disclosure and evidence (Rule 19 and the Practice Direction on Evidence)
Rule 19.1 requires every party to give the other parties and the LTB copies of all documents, pictures and other evidence they intend to rely on at least 7 days before the case management hearing or hearing, using a service method allowed by the RTA or Rule 3. Responding evidence is due at least 5 days before (Rule 19.2). Evidence not disclosed as required may be excluded (Rule 19.7).
Rule 19.1.1 is the trap: uploading evidence to the Portal is not service on the tenant unless the tenant consented in writing to Portal service and that consent was uploaded.
On a rent application (L1, L9 or L10) filed on or after September 21, 2026, a tenant who wants to raise other issues (maintenance, harassment and so on) under s. 82 must, at least 7 days before the hearing, pay the landlord half of the arrears claimed and give a written description of each issue (Rule 19.4), plus their evidence (Rule 19.6). The landlord's responding evidence is due at least 5 days before (Rule 19.6.1). Rule 19.4 cannot be waived except where the Human Rights Code requires it.
The updated Practice Direction on Evidence adds the format rules:
- all materials must be readable, have consecutively numbered pages and include a table of contents if more than one item is submitted;
- file each item once, and file separately for each application unless the applications were combined or ordered heard together;
- Portal uploads are limited to 500 MB and listed formats; emailed evidence goes only to LTB.Evidence@ontario.ca, with "EVIDENCE", the file number and the hearing date in the subject line, and a 35 MB limit per email;
- links to social media or websites are not accepted, and neither are cloud services such as Dropbox or iCloud;
- if you rely on audio or video, you must be able to play it during the hearing yourself;
- the Member decides what is accepted as evidence, and may refuse late material after weighing how late it was, why, and any prejudice.
Mediation, amendments, time and withdrawals (Rules 13 to 17)
Mediation and online dispute resolution communications are confidential (Rule 13.5). A request to amend an application before the hearing must be in writing, served and filed with a Certificate of Service (Rule 15.1). The LTB can extend or shorten many deadlines under Rule 16, but not notice periods for ending a tenancy (O. Reg. 516/06, s. 56). An applicant can withdraw without consent before the hearing begins (Rule 17.2).
Rescheduling and adjournments (Rule 21)
A request to reschedule must be on consent of all parties and received at least 5 business days before the hearing (Rule 21.1), with a list of each party's unavailable dates for the following three months (Rule 21.3). A late or contested request is granted only if it was not reasonably possible to comply. If it has not been decided, attend: the hearing goes ahead and an absent applicant's application may be dismissed (Rule 21.4). An adjournment is requested at the start of the hearing and decided on the factors in Rule 21.8, including prejudice and the history of the file. For L5 applications, rescheduling or adjourning is considered only in exceptional circumstances.
Orders, costs and amendments (Rules 22 to 24)
You can ask for written reasons at the hearing or in writing within 30 days of an order without reasons (Rule 22.2). The LTB may order the respondent to repay a successful applicant's filing fee (Rule 23.1); representation and preparation costs are capped at $100 per hour to a maximum of $700 (Rule 23.2). A clerical error can be corrected on a Request to Amend an Order within 30 days (Rule 24.1).
Stays and the sheriff (Rule 25)
A party who files a set-aside motion, or who obtains a stay or a notice that an eviction order is void, must take a copy to the Court Enforcement Office immediately. See the Enforcement Office guide.
Reviews (Rule 26)
A request to review an order issued on or after July 1, 2026 must be made within 15 days (Rule 26.5; RTA s. 209(3)); 30 days applies to orders issued before that date. The request must use at least 12-point font, a left margin of about 40 mm, no more than 10 double-spaced pages (excluding the form, evidence and cases), be signed and include the fee (Rule 26.7). It must identify one of the circumstances in O. Reg. 178/26: you were not reasonably able to participate, the order results from a serious error, or new evidence that could not have been obtained earlier and would likely have changed the result (Rule 26.8). The LTB can dismiss at a preliminary review without a hearing, and you cannot request a second review of the same order (Rule 26.18). See Request to Review an Order.
Frequently asked questions
How many days before the hearing must I send evidence?
At least 7 days to the tenant and the LTB, and responding evidence at least 5 days before, unless the LTB directs otherwise (Rule 19).
How long do I have to ask for a review?
Fifteen days from the date of an order issued on or after July 1, 2026, and the fee is $58.
How far ahead must I ask to reschedule a hearing?
The request must be on consent of all parties and reach the LTB at least 5 business days before the hearing, with each party's unavailable dates for the following three months (Rules 21.1, 21.3). A late or contested request is granted only if it was not reasonably possible to comply.
When is a couriered or mailed document considered served?
A mailed document is served on the fifth day after mailing. A couriered one is served the day after it was given to the courier, or the next business day if that day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday (Rule 3.9). Build these days into every notice period.
Can I object to a Zoom hearing?
Yes, in writing, by the date in the notice of hearing, explaining why an electronic hearing would cause you significant prejudice (Rule 7.2).