If you’re a tenant in Ontario and believe your landlord is retaliating against you for asserting your legal rights—such as requesting repairs or reporting a health or safety concern—you have protections under Ontario law. This guide explains, in plain language, how to recognize retaliation, what rights the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 gives you, and the practical steps to file a complaint about retaliation through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).

Understanding Retaliation in Ontario Rentals

Retaliation occurs when a landlord tries to penalize a tenant for exercising their legal rights. This may take the form of issuing an eviction notice, increasing rent unlawfully, decreasing services, or refusing necessary repairs after you, for example, made a complaint or contacted a city inspector.

• Threatening eviction after you complain about maintenance
• Raising rent outside of guidelines after you report health or safety violations
• Withdrawing or reducing services you’re entitled to as part of your tenancy

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, retaliation is illegal. Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) handles these disputes.

Your Rights Against Retaliation

You have the right to:

• Request repairs and maintenance without fear of eviction or other penalties
• Contact municipal by-law officers or health inspectors about property issues
• Join or form a tenants’ association

Common Forms of Retaliation

Some common examples include:

• An eviction notice after you ask for repairs
• A sudden rent increase not in line with Ontario guidelines
• Threats, harassment, or reduction of services following a complaint

Retaliation is most often seen after tenants file official complaints or exercise their statutory rights related to maintenance and services. For more on your ongoing rights and duties, visit Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

How to File a Complaint About Retaliation

If you believe your landlord is retaliating, the main action is to file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) using the appropriate form. The process is structured to protect tenants and hold landlords accountable under Ontario law.

Key LTB Forms for Retaliation Complaints

• Form T2: Application About Tenant Rights (Download from official LTB site)
  • When to use: If you believe your landlord has harassed, coerced, or penalized you for exercising your rights, file Form T2.
  • Example: If your landlord issues an eviction notice after you contacted the city about a maintenance issue, submit a T2 form detailing the timeline and circumstances.
  • How it works: You'll need to provide evidence (e.g., emails, letters, inspection reports) showing a connection between your actions and the landlord’s response.
• Form T6: Tenant Application About Maintenance (Download from official LTB site)
  • When to use: If the retaliation involved a failure to repair or maintain, file Form T6 to request repairs and possible compensation.
  • Practical example: After you asked for heating repairs, your landlord ignored the request and cut other utility services. File a T6 to seek an order for repairs and a T2 if there was harassment or penalization.

Steps to File a Retaliation Complaint

• Download Form T2 (and/or T6 if applicable) from the LTB website.
• Gather evidence: save written requests, emails, inspector reports, and any communication regarding repairs or complaints.
• Carefully complete the form, stating dates and specific incidents that show retaliation.
• File the completed form by mail, in person, by fax, or online through LTB's portal.
• Pay the application fee (fee waivers may be available if you qualify for financial assistance).
• Attend your scheduled hearing and present your evidence. Witnesses (such as city by-law officers or neighbours) can be helpful.

What Remedies Can Tenants Get?

If the LTB determines retaliation occurred, it can:

• Order the landlord to stop the retaliatory behaviour
• Set aside (cancel) a retaliatory eviction notice
• Order compensation for damages or lost services
• Order repairs, services, or restoration of conditions

Ontario tenants win additional protections if they act swiftly and document all exchanges. For further details on issues tenants commonly face and practical solutions, visit Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

Related Tenant Protections and Obligations

Retaliation is especially relevant when tenants assert rights around maintenance, health, or safety. Learn about your landlord’s duty to provide a safe home in Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting. Also, Tenant Rights in Ontario provides a complete summary of both tenant and landlord legal obligations.

Looking for a new rental?

If you’re considering moving due to unresolved conflict, or simply want a fresh start, Browse apartments for rent in Canada and compare options in your city or across Ontario.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered landlord retaliation in Ontario?
   A: Retaliation occurs if a landlord penalizes a tenant for exercising their legal rights, such as requesting repairs or contacting authorities about code violations.
2. Which form should I use to report landlord retaliation?
   A: Use Form T2: Application About Tenant Rights via the LTB to report retaliation or harassment. For issues involving repairs, include Form T6.
3. What evidence do I need for a retaliation complaint?
   A: Gather communications (emails, letters), by-law reports, dated requests, and witness statements showing the timeline and connection between your complaint and your landlord’s response.
4. Are there time limits to file a retaliation complaint?
   A: Yes. Applications must generally be filed within one year of the alleged retaliation. File as soon as possible for best results.
5. Will filing a complaint stop an eviction?
   A: If the LTB finds the eviction was retaliatory, it can cancel the eviction notice and order your tenancy to continue.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Ontario: Official source for forms, fees, and procedures
• Read a plain-language guide to your rights in Tenant Rights in Ontario
• Community Legal Clinics: Free legal help for eligible tenants. Find a clinic through Legal Aid Ontario.
• Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing: Your Rights as a Tenant
• City of Toronto (or your local municipality) for by-law complaints about repairs, maintenance, or safety.

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1. Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Ontario
2. Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario)

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