How to Respond to a Tenant's T2 or T6 Application

Understanding what a T2 or T6 application claims

A T2 application is generally used by a tenant to allege that a landlord has interfered with their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) — for example, through harassment, illegal entry, or a bad-faith eviction attempt. A T6 application is generally used for maintenance complaints, such as a failure to repair the unit or keep it in a reasonable state. Both can ask the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for a range of remedies, including a rent abatement, an order requiring specific repairs or conduct, and in some cases an administrative penalty.

Receiving one of these applications is not, by itself, a finding that anything went wrong. It is simply a tenant's formal request for the Board to review the situation. How a landlord responds — in writing, in the evidence gathered, and at the hearing itself — generally has a significant effect on the outcome, so understanding the process early matters.

It also helps to recognize that a T2 or T6 can be filed on its own, or as part of a broader dispute that already includes a landlord's own application, such as an L1 for unpaid rent. When that happens, the LTB will often schedule both matters to be heard together, which can affect how you prepare, since you may need to be ready to address your own claim and respond to the tenant's at the same hearing.

Step 1: Review the application and Notice of Hearing carefully

The first step is generally to read the application package in full, not just skim the summary. The Notice of Hearing will set out the hearing date, and the application itself (or an attached details page) will describe what the tenant alleges and what they are asking for.

1. Confirm the hearing date and location (or whether it is a video or telephone hearing) and calendar it immediately.
2. Identify every specific allegation raised — date, description, and remedy requested for each one.
3. Check the disclosure deadlines noted in the Notice of Hearing, since these generally apply to both sides and set out when evidence must be exchanged.
4. Note whether the tenant has attached any documents, photos, or written complaints, since these generally form the basis of their case.
5. If anything in the application is unclear, consider whether a request for particulars or a procedural question to the LTB is appropriate before the hearing.

Our LTB hearing guide explains the overall hearing process in more detail, which is useful context before diving into the specific allegations raised against you.

Step 2: Gather your records and evidence

Because T2 and T6 applications often turn on a factual dispute — did the landlord respond promptly to a repair request, did an entry actually happen as described — the strength of a landlord's response generally depends on the quality of the records assembled.

1. Pull together maintenance request records, including dates received, dates addressed, and any related invoices or work orders from contractors.
2. Gather all written communication with the tenant about the issues raised, including emails, texts, and portal messages.
3. If entry to the unit is at issue, locate any written notices of entry that were given and confirm they meet the 24-hour written notice requirement discussed in our guide on landlord entry and tenant privacy.
4. Identify any witnesses, such as a superintendent or contractor, who may be able to speak to what happened and when.
5. Organize the records chronologically so the sequence of events is easy to follow at the hearing.

A structured evidence organizer, such as the one in our landlord evidence organizer tool, can help keep this material in order well before the hearing date arrives.

Step 3: Prepare and serve your response disclosure

The LTB generally requires both sides to disclose the evidence they intend to rely on in advance of the hearing, within the timelines set out in the Notice of Hearing. Failing to do this properly can mean evidence is not accepted at the hearing, even if it would otherwise have been helpful. Treat this deadline the same way you would treat the hearing date itself — as fixed and non-negotiable — rather than something that can be caught up on at the last minute.

1. Prepare copies of all documents you intend to rely on, organized and labelled clearly.
2. Serve these documents on the tenant (or their representative) by the deadline specified, using an acceptable method of service.
3. Keep proof of service, such as an affidavit of service or a delivery confirmation, in case the timing or method is later questioned.
4. If you dispute specific factual claims in the application, consider preparing a short written summary of your position to help organize your presentation at the hearing.

Step 4: Present your case at the hearing

At the hearing, the member will generally hear from both sides, often starting with the applicant tenant and then moving to the landlord's response. Being organized and direct tends to carry real weight.

1. Address each allegation specifically rather than offering a general denial, referring to your records and timeline as you go.
2. If a problem did exist but was addressed, explain clearly what was done, when, and how you can show it (invoices, photos of completed work, communications).
3. If you believe a remedy requested is disproportionate to the issue, say so directly and explain why, with reference to the evidence.
4. Answer questions from the member or the tenant's side directly, and avoid speculating about matters outside your personal knowledge.
5. Where relevant, note any steps you have since taken to prevent a recurrence, since this can be relevant to the remedy the member considers appropriate.

Reviewing what happens at an LTB hearing beforehand can help you anticipate the structure of the proceeding and reduce the chance of being caught off guard by its format.

What happens after the hearing

After the hearing concludes, the member generally takes time to review the evidence and issues a written order, which may include a rent abatement, a repair order with a compliance deadline, an administrative penalty, or a dismissal of some or all of the tenant's claims. The order will typically set out any deadlines you need to meet, such as completing specific repairs by a stated date.

If you disagree with the outcome, there are limited options to challenge it, generally through a request to review the order or, in narrower circumstances, an appeal to the Divisional Court on a question of law. These routes have strict deadlines, so it is worth reviewing the order closely as soon as it arrives and seeking advice promptly if you are considering a challenge.

Common mistakes landlords make when responding

A number of avoidable errors tend to appear repeatedly in landlord responses to T2 and T6 applications, often weakening an otherwise reasonable position.

1. Missing the disclosure deadline, which can mean key evidence is excluded at the hearing.
2. Responding only verbally at the hearing without having organized supporting documents in advance.
3. Treating the application as something to dismiss rather than something to prepare for seriously, even when the landlord believes the claims are weak.
4. Failing to address every allegation raised, leaving some claims effectively unanswered.
5. Not keeping proof of service for disclosed documents, which can create procedural complications if service is disputed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading

Reviewed by Ryan J. Manilla, BA, JD

Legal Reviewer · Landlord Tenant Ontario