Changes Within the Landlord and Tenant Board
The reported number of pending cases catapulted to 53,000 in 2023 according to the Tribunal Watch Ontario report from February 2024. With wait times for an order on an arrear’s eviction being 342 days, as compared to 32 days during the same period in 2018.
The Tribunals Ontario reports that tenant applications expect average wait times of 427 days from filing to order. Some tenant applications, such as those seeking a maintenance order, take over two years to be resolved.
In November 2024 the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) issued “Breaking the Backlog”, a report that is to restore fairness and justice to the Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board. The report highlights the many inefficiencies within the LTB and draws attention to the massive backlog of unresolved cases.
The report made key recommendations addressing the current issues of the LTB:
- Restoring Access to Justice: The Problem of Virtual-Only Hearings
- Tackling the Growing Backlog: Delays in Case Resolution
- Improving Efficiency: Hiring and Retaining Adjudicators
- LTB Appointments: Ensuring Stability in Tribunal Staffing
- Internal Challenges: Part-Time Adjudicators and Staff Training
- Delayed Justice: Timelines for LTB Cases Prior to Termination Dates
- Operational Delays: The Impact of Outdated Technology
- Unfair Termination of Applications: Enhancing Screening Processes and Guidance
- Delayed Hand-Offs: LTB Member Reappointments and Pending Cases
- Fight Discrimination and Other Barriers: Review Practices Impacting Renters & Landlords
Ontario Ombudsman, Paul Dubé says both landlords and tenants deserve to have a better system in place to resolve their disputes.
LTB is making efforts to accelerate change
The LTB now estimates that applications for non-payment of rent are scheduled for a hearing within approximately three months, a significant improvement from the 10-month average in 2023. Meanwhile, all other application types are processed within an estimated five to seven months.
The province has contributed an additional $6.5 million in 2023-24 for 40 new adjudicators and 5 new staff members to the LTB.
Currently, the LTB has 79 full-time adjudicators and 58 part-time adjudicators.
The Ontario government introduced initiatives through its Cutting Red Tape, Building Ontario Act to streamline operations at the LTB. These measures include empowering staff to disregard minor errors in applications and granting executives the authority to reassign cases to a new adjudicator if the original adjudicator is unable or fails to complete the hearing.
Navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board on your own can be challenging. Unsure if you need professional guidance? Reach out to Sicotte Guilbault for expert advice and assistance.
