Tenant Remedies for Illegal Entry: The T2 Application Explained
What a T2 covers and what remedies it can lead to.
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The entry rules a landlord has to follow
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) sets out specific rules about when and how a landlord can enter a tenant's rental unit, reflecting the basic principle that a rented unit is still the tenant's home. In most situations, a landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering, and the notice must state a reasonable time of entry, generally between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., along with the reason for entry. There are narrower exceptions — a genuine emergency, or a situation where the tenant has agreed to the entry at the time — but outside of those exceptions, a landlord generally cannot simply come in whenever they choose, even if they own the property and even if they have a legitimate reason to eventually need access. These rules apply to the landlord personally, to a property manager or superintendent acting on the landlord's behalf, and to contractors, real estate agents showing the unit, or prospective tenants being brought through — anyone entering because of the landlord's instructions is generally bound by the same notice requirements as the landlord would be.
What counts as illegal entry
Illegal entry generally includes a landlord entering without giving the required written notice, entering at an unreasonable time even if notice was given, entering more often than is reasonably necessary, or using a key or access to come in when the tenant isn't home without a valid emergency or proper notice having been given. It also covers a landlord (or someone acting on the landlord's behalf, such as a contractor or a new prospective tenant being shown the unit) entering outside the scope of what the notice described — for example, notice given for a specific repair being used instead for an unrelated inspection. Repeated illegal entries, especially after a tenant has objected, often overlap with the broader harassment and interference issues covered elsewhere on this site, since a pattern of improper entry can itself amount to substantial interference with a tenant's reasonable enjoyment of their home.
Key point
Even a landlord with a legitimate reason to enter generally still needs to follow the notice and timing rules. A good reason for entry does not excuse skipping proper notice, except in a genuine emergency.
What a T2 application covers overall
The T2 application — formally about "tenant rights," though most tenants know it as the illegal-entry and harassment form — is the broader LTB application that covers a landlord's substantial interference with a tenant's reasonable enjoyment of the rental unit, illegal entry, harassment, and the withholding of vital services, among other related tenant-protection issues. Illegal entry is one of the most common specific issues raised through a T2, often alongside or overlapping with a harassment claim, since repeated improper entries frequently form part of a broader pattern of pressure on a tenant. Understanding that these issues share the same application form is useful, since a tenant dealing with improper entries doesn't necessarily need to treat it as a separate, narrower problem from other interference they may be experiencing.
Who can file, and when
Any tenant who believes a landlord has entered their unit illegally, or attempted to, can generally file a T2 application while the tenancy is ongoing or, in some circumstances, after it has ended. There's no need to wait for a pattern to develop before raising a single serious incident, though a documented pattern of repeated entries tends to make for a stronger overall case. If entry issues are ongoing and escalating, it's often worth raising the problem with the landlord in writing first, both to give them a chance to correct the behaviour and to create a clear record of when the issue was flagged, before deciding whether a formal application is necessary. There's no requirement to try this first, but doing so can help demonstrate, if the matter does end up before the LTB, that the tenant acted reasonably and gave the landlord a fair opportunity to change course before escalating further.
What evidence tends to matter most
Because illegal entry claims often come down to what actually happened and when, a dated log of each entry — including whether notice was given, what the notice said if any was provided, and what time the entry occurred — is the single most useful piece of evidence a tenant can build. Save copies of any notices you did receive, since comparing what was promised against what actually happened (a different time, a different stated purpose) is often central to the claim. Where possible, note who else witnessed the entry, such as a roommate or a neighbour, and if you have a doorbell camera or similar recording and feel comfortable using it, time-stamped footage can be strong supporting evidence.
Before you file
Our T2 application reference and evidence checklist can help you understand the filing process and organize your entry log before submitting an application.
What the LTB can order
Where the LTB finds that a landlord entered illegally, or engaged in a pattern of improper entries, it has a range of remedies available, which can include an order requiring the landlord to stop the behaviour and follow proper notice procedures going forward, compensation to the tenant for the interference experienced, and in more serious or repeated cases, administrative penalties against the landlord. As with other LTB remedies, the specific outcome depends heavily on the evidence and facts presented in each case, and no particular dollar figure or result should be assumed before a hearing takes place.
How the filing and hearing process generally works
After a T2 application is filed with the required fee, the LTB generally schedules a hearing, and both the tenant and the landlord have an opportunity to present evidence and respond to each other's claims. The tenant bringing the application generally needs to demonstrate, on the balance of the evidence, that the entries described actually happened and did not comply with the notice requirements, while the landlord can offer an explanation or dispute the tenant's account. This is exactly why a contemporaneous log and saved notices matter so much — an adjudicator weighing two competing accounts of events tends to give more weight to specific, dated evidence than to a general description offered months after the fact.
Practical tips if entries keep happening
If improper entries are ongoing, consider sending the landlord a clear, written reminder of the notice requirements as soon as a problem happens, rather than letting it go unaddressed and hoping it improves on its own. Keep a visible, simple system for noting entries as they happen — even a quick note in your phone the moment you notice someone has been in the unit. If the pattern continues despite a clear written objection, that escalating pattern, properly documented, is itself useful evidence that the issue isn't a one-off misunderstanding. And if at any point an entry or a landlord's behaviour around it feels threatening rather than simply improper, treat it with the same urgency as any other safety concern, including contacting police if appropriate, separate from whatever LTB process you also pursue. These two tracks are not mutually exclusive, and pursuing one generally does not require giving up or delaying the other.
This article provides general information about Ontario landlord and tenant law.
It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed
paralegal or lawyer, or contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally at least 24 hours' written notice, stating a reasonable time of entry and the reason, except in a genuine emergency or where the tenant has agreed to the entry.
A T2 application generally covers illegal entry, along with harassment and other interference with a tenant's reasonable enjoyment of the unit.
Generally yes, a genuine emergency, such as a fire or a serious leak, is a recognized exception to the usual 24-hour notice requirement.
This can generally be relevant, since the notice is supposed to state a reasonable time, and entering well outside that stated time may not comply with proper notice requirements.
The date and time of entry, whether notice was given and what it said, who entered, and anything unusual about the visit. A dated log is generally the strongest evidence in these claims.
Generally yes, if notice wasn't given properly and it isn't an emergency. It's a good idea to state your reason clearly and follow up in writing afterward.
Remedies can include an order requiring the landlord to follow proper entry procedures, compensation for the tenant, and in serious or repeated cases, administrative penalties.
Yes, a tenant can generally file over a single serious incident, though a documented pattern of repeated entries tends to make for a stronger overall case.
In some circumstances, yes, though timing matters, so it's best to act promptly and get advice if you're unsure whether you're still within the applicable filing window.
Treat it with the same urgency as any safety concern, including contacting police if appropriate, which is separate from and can run alongside any LTB process you pursue.
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Reviewed by Ryan J. Manilla, BA, JD
Legal Reviewer · Landlord Tenant Ontario