In Ontario, it is completely illegal for a landlord to change your locks without an official order from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and the presence of the Sheriff. If you are illegally locked out, you must immediately call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU) and file an emergency Form T2 to regain access to your home.
Coming home after a long day at work to find that your key no longer turns in the door is a renter’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, some property owners attempt these illegal “self-help” evictions when a tenant falls behind on rent or when they want to force someone out to sell the house. 📝
Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), you cannot be legally evicted without a formal hearing and a physical lockout conducted exclusively by the Court Enforcement Office (the Sheriff). A landlord acting on their own to shut you out is committing a serious provincial offence.
This guide will explain exactly what immediate steps you must take if you are locked out, how to get provincial authorities involved, and how to demand financial compensation for your hotel stays and distress. We will also outline when contacting a local law firm is your best option.
Step-by-Step Process in Ontario
Whether your apartment is in downtown Toronto, Ottawa, or a smaller city like Kingston, the legal response to an illegal lockout is exactly the same. Time is of the essence, and you must create a paper trail of the landlord’s illegal actions immediately. 📍
It is crucial that you do not resort to violence or cause severe property damage to break back in, as this could lead to criminal charges against you. Follow these legal channels instead.
Step 1: Call the Police to Keep the Peace
Your very first call should be to the local police non-emergency line. While police often state that landlord-tenant disputes are a “civil matter,” they will usually dispatch an officer to keep the peace. ❗
Explain to the officer that you have been illegally locked out of your primary residence. Sometimes, an officer speaking directly to the landlord and warning them about the law is enough to convince the landlord to hand over the new key.
Step 2: Contact the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU)
If the police cannot force the landlord to open the door, your next immediate call must be to the provincial Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU). This is a government agency with the power to intervene quickly.
The RHEU will contact the landlord directly. They will inform the landlord that illegally changing the locks is an offence punishable by massive corporate or individual fines. The RHEU’s intervention resolves the majority of illegal lockouts within a few hours.
Step 3: Keep Your Receipts for Out-of-Pocket Expenses
If the landlord flatly refuses to cooperate with the police or the RHEU, you will need to find emergency shelter. Keep every single receipt for your hotel stays, restaurant meals, and any emergency clothing or toiletries you must buy. 💪
These receipts are vital evidence. When you file your case with the LTB, you will use them to force the landlord to reimburse you for every dollar you spent while you were illegally kept out of your home.
Step 4: File an Emergency Form T2 with the LTB
You must file a Form T2 (Application about Tenant Rights) with the Landlord and Tenant Board immediately. Along with the T2, you must submit a “Request to Shorten Time” form.
Because an illegal lockout is a severe emergency, the LTB will generally grant the Request to Shorten Time. Instead of waiting several months for a hearing, you could be scheduled for an expedited virtual hearing in just a few days or weeks. At the hearing, the adjudicator can order the landlord to let you back in and pay you a massive rent abatement.
How Much Does it Cost in Ontario?
Being locked out is incredibly expensive upfront because you have to pay for emergency accommodation, but the law is designed to make the offending landlord pay you back eventually. 💰
Here is a breakdown of the typical costs you might encounter during an illegal lockout:
| Action / Expense | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Who Pays? |
|---|---|---|
| Calling Police and RHEU | $0 (Free services) | Government of Ontario |
| Emergency Hotel Stay | $150 – $300+ per night | Tenant upfront (Reimbursed by LTB) |
| Form T2 Filing Fee (Online) | $48 | Tenant (Fee waiver available) |
| Lawyer / Paralegal Representation | $1,000 – $3,000+ Flat Fee | Tenant pays out of pocket |
If you win your hearing, the adjudicator can also fine the landlord directly. As of 2026, landlords can face administrative fines of up to $35,000 for an individual or $100,000 for a corporation for committing an illegal lockout.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The speed of your re-entry depends entirely on how stubborn the landlord is. If the RHEU successfully intimidates them, you could be back inside your apartment within 2 to 24 hours. ⏱
If the landlord simply ignores the government warnings, you are at the mercy of the LTB scheduling system. By filing a Request to Shorten Time, an emergency hearing can typically be scheduled within 1 to 3 weeks.
If you do not file an emergency request, a standard Form T2 application can take anywhere from 8 to 12 months to be heard due to provincial backlogs. This is why involving a legal representative to file your emergency paperwork is often a wise choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I hire a locksmith to drill the lock and let me back in?
This is a legal grey area. While you are the lawful tenant, forcefully breaking a lock can sometimes result in the police charging you with mischief. It is generally safer to have the police or RHEU order the landlord to open the door, or to get an expedited LTB order.
What happens to my belongings if I am locked out?
Your belongings still legally belong to you. The landlord cannot throw your furniture in the garbage or sell it to cover rent arrears. If they damage or dispose of your property during an illegal lockout, the LTB will order them to pay you the full replacement cost.
Can I stop paying rent because I was locked out?
If you are not living in the unit, you generally do not owe rent for those specific days. When you file your Form T2, you will ask the adjudicator for a 100% rent abatement for every single day you were illegally denied access to the unit.
What if the landlord claims I abandoned the unit?
Landlords often use “abandonment” as a false excuse to change the locks. Unless you signed an N11 agreement, gave an N9 notice, or the LTB issued an official abandonment order, the landlord has no right to assume you abandoned the unit simply because you were away for a few days.
Should I hire a law firm for an illegal lockout?
Yes, highly recommended. An illegal lockout is a severe crisis. An experienced Ontario paralegal or law firm knows exactly how to draft a Request to Shorten Time to force an emergency LTB hearing, maximizing your chances of getting back indoors quickly.
Leave a Reply