- Most LTB hearings are held by video. Test your technology, join early, and have your documents open and ready.
- Evidence usually must be served on the other party and filed with the Board in advance — often at least 7 days before the hearing. Late evidence may be excluded.
- Organize your evidence into a labelled, numbered package with a short summary — adjudicators reward clarity.
- Bring witnesses who saw the events firsthand; second-hand accounts carry little weight.
- Consider the Tenant Duty Counsel / on-site help and always explore mediation — many matters settle on better terms than a ruling.
The Short Answer
LTB hearings are usually decided on preparation and evidence, not speeches. Most are held by video, and your evidence generally must be served and filed in advance — often at least 7 days before — or it may be excluded. Organize a clear, numbered evidence package, line up firsthand witnesses, and seriously consider mediation. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, our landlord and tenant lawyers can prepare and present your case at the Board.
The Video-Hearing Format
The Board conducts most hearings by video. You will get a notice of hearing with the date, time, and joining information. Treat the technology as part of your preparation: test your camera, microphone, and connection ahead of time, join a few minutes early, use a quiet space, and have your evidence open and ready to reference on screen.
Hearings are often scheduled in blocks, so several matters share a start time and yours may be called later in the session. Plan to be available for the whole block, not just the exact minute listed.
The Evidence Deadline
This is where cases are most often lost before they begin. Under the Board's rules, documents and other evidence generally must be served on the other party and filed with the Board in advance — commonly at least 7 days before the hearing (confirm the exact deadline and method in the Board's current rules and your notice). Evidence handed in late, or shown for the first time at the hearing, can be refused.
Two steps, not one: you must both give your evidence to the other side and file it with the Board, on time, in the required way. Doing only one is a common and costly error.
How to Organize Your Package
- Index first: a one-page list of what is included, numbered
- Number everything: label each photo and document so you can say “please turn to item 4”
- Logical order: chronological usually works best
- Only what matters: a tight, relevant package beats a giant unsorted pile
- Legible copies: clear scans of leases, notices, ledgers, texts, and photos
Witnesses
Firsthand witnesses can be decisive — a neighbour who heard the disturbance, a contractor who saw the damage, a superintendent who was present. Arrange for them to attend the video hearing and be ready to explain briefly what each will testify to. Remember that hearsay — repeating what someone else told you — carries far less weight than direct, personal observation.
Mediation and Settlement
The Board offers mediation, and it is worth taking seriously. A mediated agreement can include flexible terms an adjudicator could not order — a structured payment plan for arrears, an agreed move-out date, or conditions to preserve the tenancy. Many matters resolve on better, more certain terms through mediation than by rolling the dice on a decision.
On the Day of the Hearing
- Join early and be in a quiet, private space
- Have your numbered evidence and a short list of your key points open
- Speak to the adjudicator, not the other party; do not interrupt
- Be concise and factual — reference your evidence by number
- Answer the questions asked; it is fine to say you do not know
Tips for Landlords and Tenants
Landlords: bring the lease, the notice relied on, a clear rent ledger, proof of service, and photos/invoices for any damage. Make sure the underlying notice was valid — a defective notice can sink an otherwise strong case.
Tenants: bring proof of payments, written communications, photos, and anything supporting a defence (for example, outstanding repairs or a notice given in bad faith). If money is owed, a realistic payment proposal can help.
Common Mistakes
Late evidence is often excluded. Serve and file everything by the required date.
Unnumbered, unsorted documents frustrate adjudicators and bury your best points.
Absent tenants can be evicted in their absence; absent landlords can have applications dismissed.
Bring people who saw it firsthand — repeating what others said carries little weight.
Have an LTB hearing coming up? Call our Toronto landlord and tenant team at 416-274-2222 to prepare your evidence and strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Landlord and Tenant Board hearings are held by video (or sometimes telephone). You will receive a notice of hearing with the date and joining details. In-person hearings are the exception and generally require a request with reasons.
Evidence generally must be served on the other party and filed with the Board in advance of the hearing — commonly at least 7 days before. Deadlines and exact methods are set out in the Board's rules and your notice of hearing, so check them carefully. Evidence submitted late can be refused.
Put everything in a single, clearly labelled package: number each document or photo, add a short index or summary at the front, and put items in a logical order (for example, chronological). Reference the numbers when you speak so the adjudicator can follow along.
Yes. Firsthand witnesses — people who personally saw or heard what happened — are valuable. Arrange for them to attend the video hearing, and be ready to briefly explain what each will speak to. Hearsay (what someone told you) carries much less weight than direct observation.
The Board offers mediation, where a neutral mediator helps the parties reach their own agreement instead of having an adjudicator decide. Mediated agreements can be more flexible (for example, a payment plan) and are often a better outcome than a win-or-lose ruling. Participation is voluntary.
It can be very costly. If a tenant does not attend, an eviction order can be issued in their absence; if a landlord does not attend, the application can be dismissed. Always attend, and if you truly cannot, request an adjournment in advance with reasons.
Tenants can often access Tenant Duty Counsel or community legal clinic support for advice on the day. It is limited and cannot replace full representation for a complex matter, but it can help. Landlords typically retain a paralegal or lawyer.
You are allowed to represent yourself, and many people do. But for high-stakes matters — an eviction you are contesting, a large damage or bad-faith claim, or a legally complex issue — representation by a lawyer or licensed paralegal can significantly improve preparation and presentation.