How landlords start a non-payment case at the LTB

This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.

1. Serve a valid N4 first

   The N4 tells the tenant the arrears and the date the notice can be voided by payment. Use the current Tribunals Ontario N4. Wrong amounts and missing periods are common reasons an application fails.

2. Wait until the notice is effective

   If the tenant pays what the N4 requires in time, the notice is void and you generally cannot file L1 on that notice.

3. File Form L1 with the Board

   L1 is the application to evict for non-payment and to collect rent owing. Attach the N4 and a rent ledger that matches the notice. Filing L1, not only emailing the tenant, starts the case.

4. Serve the L1 package and attend the hearing

   Bring the ledger, the lease, and proof of service. An order is required before the Sheriff enforces an eviction.

5. If you are the tenant who received an L1

   See the companion page on responding to an eviction notice. Pay-and-void and dispute are different choices with different deadlines.

Official law on this site: landlord-tenant-act.

Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.