I’m taking my landlord to the LTB. How do I present my case?
Important COVID-19 update about the Landlord and Tenant Board
The LTB is holding most hearings remotely, by phone, video, or in writing. Some people have had trouble connecting to remote hearings. If you have a video hearing scheduled, download Microsoft Teams ahead of time and make sure your setup is working.
There have also been reports that it can take a long time to get through to the LTB by phone. If you need help right away, contact a lawyer or your local community legal clinic.
If you filed an and you have not been able to resolve your problem by talking to your landlord or by going to mediation, a member of the will hold a hearing to decide what should happen.
A hearing at the Board is like a court case, but less formal.
At the hearing you have to prove that your landlord didn’t follow the law or the agreement. You do this by asking witnesses questions and giving evidence to the Board.
Your landlord will give their side of the story by also using witnesses or evidence.
Your landlord has the right to question your witnesses and evidence. And, you have the right to question your landlord’s witnesses or evidence.
After listening to all the witnesses and looking at the evidence from you and from your landlord, the Board member will make a decision. They will write that decision in an Order.
Get legal advice
It can be hard to present a case at the Board. If you need legal advice or help at your hearing, there are places to get legal help.
Or you can talk to Tenant Duty Counsel. Tenant Duty Counsel are lawyers and community legal workers at the Board who give legal advice and may be able to help you if you do not have a lawyer or legal worker.
Types of hearings
There are 2 types of hearings when tenants apply to the Board.
Oral hearings are held in person. You and the landlord must come to the location given in the Notice of Hearing. Most Board hearings are oral hearings.
You must bring any documents, witnesses, or other evidence that you have to your hearing.
Oral hearings are almost always public. This means that other landlords and tenants or members of the public could be watching your hearing.
Electronic hearings are sometimes scheduled by the Board when the rental unit is in a rural or remote location. They can be held by telephone or videoconference.
You and the landlord must send any documents or other evidence to the Board and to each other before the hearing.
All Board hearings are recorded. The recording is not available to the public but you or your landlord can a copy if you need it.
