If you receive a default eviction order from the LTB because you never got the hearing link, you have exactly 30 days (or a strict new limit of 15 days for orders issued on or after July 1, 2026) to file a Request to Review. The filing fee is $58 CAD, and you must urgently request a “Stay” to stop the Sheriff from locking you out.
Facing eviction from your home is incredibly stressful, but discovering you have already been ordered out of your apartment without ever getting a chance to defend yourself is terrifying. Since the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) in Ontario shifted almost entirely to digital operations, administrative errors have become common. Tenants in Toronto, Hamilton, and London frequently report missing virtual hearings because the Zoom link went to a spam folder, the landlord provided the wrong email address, or the LTB portal experienced a technical glitch.
When a tenant fails to attend a hearing, the adjudicator typically proceeds in their absence, resulting in a default eviction order in favour of the landlord. ⚠ However, Ontario law guarantees your right to natural justice and a fair hearing. If you were completely unaware of the hearing date due to non-service or administrative failure, you have the legal right to ask the LTB to reverse the decision. Timing is absolutely critical. In this guide, we outline the strict deadlines and emergency procedures required to freeze the eviction and secure a new hearing.
Step-by-Step Process to Reverse a Default LTB Order
You cannot simply call the LTB customer service line and complain that you missed the link. You must file formal, sworn legal documents to halt the enforcement process. If you ignore the paper order, the Court Enforcement Office (the Sheriff) will arrive to change your locks.
Step 1: Filing the Request to Review
The moment you discover the eviction order, you must immediately file a “Request to Review an Order” form. 📅 Under the rules amended by Bill 60 (the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025), the historical 30-day deadline is reduced to a strict 15 days for any LTB orders issued on or after July 1, 2026. For orders issued before that date, the 30-day limit applies. Additionally, under Ontario Regulation 178/26 (Limits on Board’s Review Powers), also effective July 1, 2026, you must clearly demonstrate that your failure to participate was due to a lack of proper notice or an error caused by the Board.
Step 2: Prepare the Supporting Affidavit and Evidence
You must provide concrete proof explaining why you did not participate in the original hearing. 📄 This typically involves writing a detailed, sworn affidavit. You should collect evidence such as screenshots of your email inbox (and spam folder) showing the lack of a Zoom link, proof of your correct email address if the landlord submitted the wrong one, or logs of LTB system glitches.
Step 3: Request an Urgent “Stay Order”
Crucially, filing a Request to Review does not automatically pause your eviction. You must actively check the box on the form to request a “Stay of the Eviction Order.” If the LTB grants the Stay, it legally stops the Sheriff from executing the eviction and changing your locks while the Board reviews your case.
Step 4: Attend the LTB Review Hearing
If the LTB accepts your request, they will suspend the eviction and schedule a new hearing. 👮 At this review hearing, you must first convince the adjudicator that you had a legitimate reason for missing the initial date. Once established, the Board will proceed to rehear the landlord’s original eviction case, giving you a fair chance to present your defence.
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Reversing a default order involves specific Board fees and potential professional representative costs. 💵 Here is a breakdown of the costs:
- LTB Review Filing Fee: Exactly $58 CAD. This fee is paid directly to the Landlord and Tenant Board when submitting your Request to Review. If you cannot afford this, you can file a Fee Waiver Request.
- Paralegal or Lawyer Fees: Retaining an experienced professional to draft the Request to Review, prepare the sworn affidavit, and represent you at the review hearing typically costs between $500 and $1,500 CAD.
- Sheriff Out-of-Pocket Costs: If a Stay is not secured in time and the Sheriff is already scheduled, you could face immediate relocation or storage costs that can easily exceed $1,000 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
For orders issued on or after July 1, 2026, you have a strict timeline of only 15 days to file the Request to Review. ⏰ However, because landlords can legally book the Sheriff just 11 to 14 days after the termination date on the order, you must file your review and secure the Stay immediately within the first few days of discovering the default order. Once the Stay is granted, the LTB typically schedules the new review hearing within 3 to 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if I miss the 15-day deadline?
If you miss the strict 15-day deadline (applicable to all orders issued on or after July 1, 2026), you must submit a “Request to Extend or Shorten Time” form alongside your review application. You must show highly compelling and exceptional reasons why you could not file within the 15-day window.
Can the landlord evict me while I am waiting for the LTB to respond to my review?
Yes, unless you have the official “Stay Order” in your hands. Simply filing the paperwork does not stop the Sheriff. The LTB must actually process the request and grant the Stay. This is why acting immediately is critical.
What if the landlord lied and said they served me the link?
At the review hearing, you will have the chance to cross-examine the landlord. You can present evidence showing they used an old email address, or demand they produce proof of transmission. If they falsified a Certificate of Service, the adjudicator will heavily penalize them.
Does a Stay Order mean I won the case?
No. A Stay simply hits “pause” on the eviction. It buys you the time necessary to actually attend a new hearing and present your defence to the original eviction claims.
Can I just move out and ignore the order?
If the eviction order also includes a judgment for thousands of dollars in unpaid rent or damages, ignoring it is a massive mistake. The landlord can take that order to Small Claims Court and garnish your wages or bank accounts. You must fight it.
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