Two facts that change everything
Before anything else, two things tenants often aren’t told:
- Only the Landlord and Tenant Board can legally evict you — not the landlord directly (per ACTO, the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario).
- You may qualify for free legal help — Legal Aid Ontario funds community legal clinics for problems like eviction, repairs, pests, no heat or electricity, and rent increases.
Do this first
Don't ignore the notice
Deadlines are case-specific and matter. Keep the notice safe and note any dates on it.
Call a legal clinic as soon as possible
Legal Aid Ontario: 416-979-1446 (Toronto/GTA) or 1-800-668-8258. They can point you to the clinic that covers your address.
Call Legal Aid OntarioHave a hearing date already?
Ask about Tenant Duty Counsel — CLEO says they can help tenants without a lawyer on or before a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing.
This page is not legal advice
Deadlines and options depend on your exact notice and situation. Only a legal clinic, Tenant Duty Counsel, or a lawyer can advise on your case. Don’t rely on this page — or your landlord — to interpret a notice.What to keep
Keep everything, even if it seems minor. Bring it all to any legal appointment:
- Every notice from your landlord, with the date you received it.
- Texts, emails, and letters between you and the landlord.
- Rent receipts and proof of payments.
- Your lease.
- Maintenance requests and complaints you've made.
- Photos or videos of problems (repairs, pests, damage).
- Any Landlord and Tenant Board or hearing documents.
What to say when you call
“I received a notice from my landlord. I need help understanding my options and deadlines. I have [notice type / date / hearing date]. Can I speak to a legal clinic or tenant worker?”
Where to get legal help
Legal Aid Ontario — Legal Clinics
Free legal information, advice, or representation through community legal clinics for eligible tenants — eviction, repairs, pests, no heat/electricity, illegal rent increases.
Financial and legal eligibility apply; clinics serve specific catchment areas.
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Tenant services including legal advice and representation for qualifying renters in Toronto and York Region.
Eligibility, capacity, and service area should be confirmed at intake.
ACTO — Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
Specialty legal clinic focused on protecting low-income tenants; strong plain-language tenant-rights education resources.
Use for rights education; for case help, start with your local legal clinic or LAO.
Tenant Duty Counsel
Help for tenants without a lawyer on or before a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing (per CLEO).
Ask LAO or your legal clinic how to reach Tenant Duty Counsel for your hearing.
Behind on rent but no legal dispute yet? The housing guide covers Rent Bank and stabilization funds that can prevent an eviction from starting.
Peer worker tips
- Treat every landlord notice as time-sensitive — connect the person to a legal clinic the same week.
- Never interpret a notice, calculate a deadline, or advise whether to move out. Frame everything as 'a legal clinic can tell you'.
- Help organize the document pile before the appointment — it doubles the value of a short clinic slot.
- Legal clinics have catchments; confirm the right clinic for the client's address before referring.
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Legal Clinics — Legal Aid Ontario
- Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario — ACTO
- Tenant Services — Canadian Centre for Housing Rights