On June 21, 2026, the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board announced a rule change affecting tenants facing rent arrears claims. Under the new requirement, a tenant who is accused of owing rent must pay fifty percent of the landlord’s claimed amount before the tribunal will allow the tenant to raise any additional complaints during the hearing.
The rule applies to hearings conducted by the Board, which resolves disputes between landlords and tenants across the province. By paying half of the amount the landlord says is owed, the tenant can then bring up other issues related to the rental unit, such as maintenance problems or breaches of the lease, within the same proceeding.
The Board stated that the payment condition is intended to streamline hearings and ensure that rent‑arrears claims are addressed before other matters are considered. The requirement does not change the total amount owed; it only sets a preliminary payment threshold that must be met for the tenant to participate fully in the hearing agenda.
Landlords and tenants have been informed of the change through the Board’s official communications. The policy will take effect for hearings scheduled after the June 21 announcement. Tenants who fail to make the required fifty‑percent payment may have their additional complaints excluded from the hearing until the condition is satisfied.
The adjustment reflects the Board’s ongoing efforts to manage its caseload and to balance the interests of both parties in residential tenancy disputes. It also provides a clear procedural step for tenants who wish to contest rent‑arrears claims while also addressing other concerns about their living conditions.