To request a delay (an adjournment) for a Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearing in Ontario, a tenant must file a formal Request to Reschedule. If denied before the hearing, you must attend virtually and ask the adjudicator directly on the day of the hearing, though they are increasingly strict about granting them without exceptional reasons.
Receiving a Notice of Hearing from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is an intimidating moment. Often, tenants realize they do not have enough time to hire a lawyer, gather their banking records, or secure witnesses before the scheduled date. In Evictions & Rent Disputes in Ontario, the legal mechanism to ask for more time is called an “adjournment.” 📅 Whether you live in Brampton, Toronto, or Thunder Bay, navigating the rules surrounding adjournments is crucial to avoiding a default eviction.
However, getting a hearing postponed is no longer as simple as it once was. As of May 2026, the LTB is actively trying to clear historical backlogs, meaning adjudicators are heavily scrutinizing any attempts to delay proceedings. 🚨 If you desperately need time to seek legal counsel or accommodate a medical emergency, you must follow the strict step-by-step procedural rules to convince the Board that an adjournment is fair to both parties.
Step-by-Step Process for Adjournments in Ontario
Asking for a delay requires formal communication. You cannot simply email the LTB saying you will not be there and expect them to pause the eviction. Most tenants who successfully secure an adjournment follow these highly structured steps. 📋
Step 1: Seeking the Landlord’s Written Consent
The easiest way to get an adjournment is if both parties agree to it. You should immediately email your landlord or their paralegal and ask if they will consent to rescheduling the hearing. 💬 Explain your reasoning honestly (e.g., “I am currently securing a paralegal”). If the landlord agrees, you must submit this written consent to the LTB as quickly as possible.
Step 2: Submitting the Request to Reschedule Form
If the landlord refuses or ignores your request, you must act independently. You need to fill out the official LTB form called “Request to Reschedule a Hearing.” This document must be submitted through the Tribunals Ontario Portal at least a few weeks before the hearing. 💻 You must clearly state why proceeding on the scheduled date would result in severe unfairness to your legal rights.
Step 3: Logging into the Virtual Hearing Anyway
This is the most critical step: unless you receive a written order from the LTB explicitly confirming the date has been changed, you absolutely must attend the original hearing. Many tenants mistakenly assume their request was granted and skip the hearing. 👀 If you fail to appear, the adjudicator will likely deny the adjournment in your absence and order your immediate eviction.
Step 4: Making a Preliminary Oral Request
When the adjudicator calls your case during the Zoom or Teams block, you must immediately speak up before the landlord begins their evidence. Say, “Mr./Madam Adjudicator, I have a preliminary matter. I am formally requesting an adjournment because…” 🗣 You must be ready to prove why you need the time-for example, showing emails that you have an appointment with Legal Aid Ontario scheduled for next week.
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Requesting an adjournment itself does not carry a direct fee from the Landlord and Tenant Board. However, securing the legal representation needed to make a persuasive argument for the delay often comes with expenses. Here is a breakdown of potential costs in CAD: 💸
- LTB Adjournment Fee: It is free ($0 CAD) to submit a Request to Reschedule form.
- Tenant Duty Counsel: On the day of your hearing, you can consult with Duty Counsel for free to help you ask the adjudicator for the adjournment.
- Paralegal Retainer (Limited Scope): If you hire a paralegal solely to attend the hearing and secure the adjournment on your behalf, they may charge a block fee of $300 to $600 CAD.
- Lost Wages: Because you must attend the virtual hearing even if you just want to delay it, you should account for the cost of taking a half-day off work.
| Adjournment Method | Estimated Legal Cost (CAD) | Chance of Success |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual Consent with Landlord | $0 | Very High (Almost Guaranteed) |
| Self-Represented Oral Request | $0 | Low to Moderate (Depends on reason) |
| Using a Licensed Paralegal | $300 – $600 | High (If legally justified) |
How Long Does the Process Take?
If you submit a formal Request to Reschedule well in advance, the LTB may take 1 to 3 weeks to process it and issue a decision before the hearing. However, if you are forced to ask for the adjournment orally on the day of the hearing, the adjudicator will decide immediately. 🕑 If the adjournment is granted, your case will be “stood down” and bumped to a new hearing block, which in the current Ontario system, usually means a delay of 1 to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I have a sudden medical emergency on the hearing day?
If you are in the hospital or severely ill on the morning of the hearing, try to have a family member or friend log into the virtual hearing on your behalf to inform the adjudicator. You will eventually need to provide a doctor’s note or hospital record to prove the emergency was genuine.
Can the landlord refuse my request for an adjournment?
Yes. The landlord has every right to object to your request, especially if they believe you are just trying to stall the eviction to live rent-free. If they object, the adjudicator will listen to both sides and make a final, binding decision on whether the hearing will proceed.
Will the LTB adjourn so I can hire a lawyer?
Generally, adjudicators will grant one short adjournment so a tenant can seek legal counsel, as the right to representation is fundamental. However, if you received the notice 5 months ago and only started looking for a paralegal the day before the hearing, the adjudicator may refuse your request.
What happens if the adjudicator says no?
If your request for an adjournment is denied, the hearing will proceed immediately right then and there. You must be prepared to defend yourself against the eviction application to the best of your ability, even without legal representation.
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