Landlord Won't Fix It? How a T6 Maintenance Application Works in Ontario
Your landlord is ignoring repair requests. The Residential Tenancies Act requires landlords to maintain the unit — and the Landlord and Tenant Board can orde...
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withhold rent until my landlord fixes the problem?
No. Ontario law does not permit unilateral rent withholding, deductions, or "repair-and-deduct." Tenants who withhold rent end up evicted on an N4 application even when their underlying maintenance complaint is valid. Pay rent in full, file a T6, and ask the LTB to award abatement.
How much can I get back in rent abatement on a T6?
It depends on severity, duration, and how much the problem affected your use of the unit. The LTB has awarded abatement ranging from a small monthly percentage for minor inconvenience up to 50% or more of monthly rent for serious habitability problems (no heat for extended periods, severe pest infestation, units that are unsafe to live in). Each case turns on its facts and evidence.
My landlord says I knew about the problem when I moved in. Does that defeat my T6?
No. The landlord's obligation under s. 20 is a continuing one. The LTB has consistently held that a tenant's knowledge of an existing problem at move-in does not relieve the landlord from the duty to maintain the unit going forward.
How long does a T6 take to be decided?
LTB scheduling has been substantially delayed since 2020. Most maintenance applications are heard six to twelve months after filing, with some longer. Urgent cases (no heat in winter, no water, no working bathroom) can sometimes be expedited on request.
Can I file a T6 if I have already moved out?
Yes, but the limitation period is strict. You have one year from the date of the breach (or from the date the breach was last continuing, where the issue was ongoing). Former tenants regularly file T6 applications for the period when they were living in the unit, asking for abatement and reimbursement of costs.
Contact Legal Assist
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