Ontario Landlord Tenant Board LTB Under Fire Urgent Reforms Needed for Faster and Fairer Service

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A new report from Ontario's ombudsman highlights the worsening inefficiency and unfairness of the Ontario Landlord Tenant Board (LTB). This comes at a time of a historic rental housing shortage, where the LTB's ineffectiveness is negatively impacting both tenants and landlords. The report reveals a backlog of 38,000 cases, with hearings taking an average of seven to eight months, and sometimes up to two years, to be scheduled. The ombudsman's investigation uncovers structural, operational, and service-related problems as major reasons behind the backlog, including poor service records and errors in paperwork that force applicants to restart the process.

Reforms to the LTB are urgently needed to address these issues. The report suggests increasing resources to process the backlog, including hiring more adjudicators and staff, updating technology, and supporting the application backlog. Additionally, the province should consider making the LTB more independent and accountable by reforming the bureaucracy of Tribunals Ontario. This would involve creating a stand-alone agency for the LTB with its own dedicated board and leadership to ensure tailored solutions and improved service.

To expedite the process, the report recommends implementing a triage system that fast-tracks non-contested matters. Currently, even when tenants are not contesting eviction notices, they have to wait for months for a hearing, which disproportionately affects small landlords. By addressing these issues and making the LTB more efficient and fair, more families can find safe and affordable homes in the midst of Ontario's housing affordability crisis.

Read the full article on: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE