Covid hit the province of Ontario hard. This led to the closings of courts and tribunals in 2020 leading to a huge backlog in cases.
While the LTB has made some important changes to help landlords in the past year, we are still faced with these long delays in getting an LTB Hearing. Many small landlords have gone for months not receiving any rent while their non-paying tenants remain in the property.
Small landlords need quicker access to justice. Fortunately the LTB has listened to our members comments and has created a way for small landlords to shorten the time to get a Hearing.
Join our expert discussion on this and other important topics in our landlord forums.
TO: Ontario Landlord Association Stakeholders
FROM: Karen Restoule, Associate Chair, Lynn Dicaire, Registrar
RE: New Guideline and Updated Form
As discussed during our stakeholder meetings over the past months, the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) created Interpretation Guideline 22 regarding Covid-19 Issues, and updated its Request to Extend or Shorten Time form and accompanying instructions.
Interpretation Guideline 22 – Covid-19 Issues
This is a temporary Guideline that addresses issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be revoked on a date to be determined by the LTB.
Interpretation Guidelines are intended to assist parties in understanding the LTB’s usual interpretation of the law, to provide guidance to members and promote consistency in decision-making. However, a member is not required to follow a Guideline and may make a different decision depending on the facts of the case.
Interpretation Guideline 22, and all LTB guidelines, can be found on our Rules, Practice Direction, Guidelines webpage.
Request to Shorten Time
The LTB’s Request to Extend or Shorten Time form and accompanying instructions have been updated to make clearer the criteria adjudicators consider when deciding these requests.
The Request to Extend or Shorten Time form and instructions can be found on our Forms webpage.
Thank you for your ongoing engagement with the LTB. These changes are a result of the many discussions that we have had with stakeholders about improving the user experience for LTB parties.
Karen Restoule Lynn Dicaire
Associate Chair Registrar