Ontario Landlord Guide › Does a tenant have to pay half the arrears to raise issues at an LTB hearing?

Does a tenant have to pay half the arrears to raise issues at an LTB hearing?

Last updated October 23, 2026 · Written for small Ontario landlords

Short answer: Yes, if the landlord's application was filed on or after September 21, 2026. To raise other issues at a hearing about unpaid rent, such as maintenance problems, the tenant must pay the landlord at least half of the rent arrears claimed in the application at least 7 days before the hearing. The payment goes to the landlord directly, not to the LTB.

Official source: Tribunals Ontario: Legislative changes at the LTB effective September 21, 2026 · Last checked Oct 2026

What the rule says

Which hearings. Hearings about a landlord's application for non-payment of rent (the L1, L9 or L10), where the landlord filed on or after September 21, 2026.
Which issues. The LTB calls them "Section 82 issues": anything the tenant could have raised in their own application, for example maintenance problems or harassment by the landlord.
How much. At least half of the rent arrears claimed in the landlord's application.
When. At least 7 days before the hearing, the same deadline as the tenant's written description of the issues and their evidence.
Who gets it. The landlord, directly. It can't be paid to the LTB in trust, and the LTB tells tenants to keep a receipt.
If it isn't paid. The LTB says the tenant will not be permitted to raise those issues at the hearing. These requirements can't be waived except where the Human Rights Code requires it.

A worked example

A landlord files an L1 on October 5, 2026 claiming $2,400 in arrears. The hearing is on Thursday, January 14, 2027. If the tenant wants to raise a repair problem at that hearing, they must give the landlord and the LTB a written description of the issue and their evidence, and pay the landlord at least $1,200, at least 7 days before the hearing. Counting back 7 days from the hearing gives Thursday, January 7, 2027. The LTB pages don't spell out how to count those 7 days, so the safe reading for both sides is that everything should be done by January 7 or earlier.

What this means for you as the landlord

Give a receipt for every payment, including this one. If the tenant pays you the half, a dated receipt that states the amount is the simplest proof for both of you. Our free rent receipt template works for this.
Keep your ledger current. The amount that matters is the arrears claimed in your application, so your rent ledger and the application should match.
Answer the tenant's evidence on time. If the tenant gives you a description of their issues and evidence, you must give the tenant and the LTB your responding documents and evidence at least 5 days before the hearing.
The hearing still goes ahead. The adjudicator deals with your claim for rent and any issues the tenant is allowed to raise in a single decision. If the tenant proves their issues, the order can include a rent abatement or an order to do repairs.
Applications filed before September 21, 2026 fall under the old rules, which didn't require the half-arrears payment.

Before you file, your N4 has to be right too: see the N4 7-day rule guide or the free N4 date calculator. The free September 2026 changes checklist lists this rule next to the other September changes, and the $19 toolkit includes a rent and expense tracker and an LTB evidence pack.

Official sources

Not legal advice. This site is general information written by a small Ontario landlord, based on official Ontario and Tribunals Ontario sources as of October 23, 2026. Laws and LTB forms change; check the linked official source before you act, and talk to a lawyer or licensed paralegal (or call the LTB at 1-888-332-3234) about your situation. Not affiliated with the Government of Ontario, Tribunals Ontario or the Landlord and Tenant Board. Full disclaimer.