Landlord and Tenant Board application fees in Ontario vary by form type and filing method, with tenant applications (such as T2 or T6) generally costing less than landlord eviction applications (such as L1 or L2), and online filing through the Tribunals Ontario Portal typically costing less than filing by mail or paper. Low-income applicants can request a fee waiver. If an application succeeds, the Board can order the other party to reimburse the filing fee, though this does not extend to covering legal or paralegal fees. Confirm the exact current fee for your specific form on the official Tribunals Ontario fees page before filing, since these amounts are updated periodically.
- Fees vary by form type — tenant applications generally cost less than landlord eviction applications.
- Online filing through the Tribunals Ontario Portal is typically less expensive than filing by mail or paper.
- A fee waiver is available for applicants who cannot afford the fee, based on income.
- If you win your application, the Board can order the other party to reimburse the filing fee you paid.
- Fee reimbursement generally does not cover legal or paralegal fees — just the application fee itself.
- Confirm the current exact fee for your specific form on the official Tribunals Ontario site before filing, since fee schedules are periodically updated.
The Short Answer
LTB filing fees vary by the specific form you are submitting and how you submit it. As a general pattern, tenant applications cost less than landlord eviction applications, and online filing costs less than paper filing. A fee waiver is available for applicants who genuinely cannot afford the fee, and the fee itself can sometimes be recovered from the other party if you win. Always confirm the exact current amount on the official Tribunals Ontario site before filing, since these figures are periodically updated.
Tenant Application Fees
Common tenant applications include a T2 (tenant rights application) and a T6 — see our guide on the T6 process for maintenance issues — which generally carry a lower filing fee than landlord eviction applications, with the online fee typically lower than the paper-filing fee.
Landlord Application Fees
Landlord eviction applications, such as an L1 (non-payment of rent) or L2 (other grounds for ending a tenancy), generally carry a higher filing fee than most tenant applications — again with online filing typically less expensive than paper. See our overview of the LTB eviction timeline in Ontario for how the application fee fits into the broader process and cost of an eviction file. If you are a tenant on the receiving end of one of these applications, see our guide on responding to an LTB eviction application.
Online Filing vs. Paper Filing
The Tribunals Ontario Portal is the primary online filing channel for most LTB application types, and it is generally both faster and less expensive than submitting a paper application by mail. Unless there is a specific reason paper filing is necessary, online filing is typically the more practical and cost-effective route.
Fee Waivers for Low-Income Applicants
Applicants who meet income-based eligibility criteria can request a fee waiver, allowing the application to proceed without paying the filing fee upfront. This is a meaningful option for tenants in particular who may be dealing with the exact financial pressure that makes an LTB application necessary in the first place.
If the filing fee itself is the main obstacle to pursuing a legitimate application, check whether you qualify for a fee waiver before deciding the cost is a barrier — the eligibility criteria may be more accessible than expected.
Getting Your Fee Back If You Win
Where an application is successful, the Board can order the other party to reimburse the filing fee that was paid. This is a useful, if modest, form of cost recovery — but it generally does not extend to covering the cost of hiring a lawyer or paralegal, which is treated separately and is rarely recovered even in a successful outcome. Factor this into your overall cost expectations rather than assuming a win means full cost recovery.
What to Do Before You File
Confirm the exact current fee for your specific form on the official Tribunals Ontario fees page, decide whether online filing is available and appropriate for your situation, and check fee waiver eligibility if cost is a genuine barrier. For help preparing the substance of your application — not just the fee — see our guide on preparing for an LTB hearing in Ontario. The underlying dispute often involves issues covered in our guides on pet clauses, tenant insurance requirements, or roommate and joint tenancy disputes. Call 416-274-2222 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tenant applications, such as a T2 (tenant rights) or T6 (maintenance) application, generally cost less than landlord eviction applications, with online filing typically cheaper than paper filing. Confirm the exact current fee for your specific form on the official Tribunals Ontario fees page.
Landlord eviction applications, such as an L1 or L2, generally carry a higher fee than most tenant applications, again with online filing typically costing less than paper. Check the current official fee schedule for the specific form you need.
Generally yes — filing through the Tribunals Ontario Portal online is typically less expensive than submitting a paper application by mail, in addition to usually being faster to process.
Yes. Tenants who meet income-based criteria can request a fee waiver, which allows the application to proceed without paying the filing fee upfront.
Often, yes. Where an application succeeds, the Board can order the other party to reimburse the filing fee that was paid, though this is decided case by case and is not automatic in every outcome.
Generally no. Fee reimbursement typically covers just the Board's own filing fee, not the cost of hiring a lawyer or paralegal to help with the application, which is treated separately and is rarely recovered even when you win.
The Tribunals Ontario website maintains the current forms, filing methods, and fee schedule for all LTB application types — always confirm the exact current number there before filing, since fees are periodically updated and can change.