4. Talk to your landlord
Question and answer
If my landlord gives me an eviction notice, do I have to move?Sometimes a tenant gets an because of a misunderstanding or because the landlord has made a mistake with a rent payment.
For example, maybe you do not really owe rent. You might be able to convince your landlord that they have made a mistake. You will probably need to have receipts to prove all your payments.
It's a good idea to talk to your landlord about the and see if you can solve the problem.
For example, if you owe rent but cannot pay it off before the deadline in the notice, you can ask your landlord to agree to a payment plan. If you make a payment plan with your landlord, make sure you get it in writing and use the LTB payment agreement form.
Use CLEO's free Eviction Solution Explorer to learn what you can do if your landlord wants to you because you owe rent. It can help you build defences, make a payment plan, and create speaking notes for your hearing.
Get legal help
It's always best to get legal advice.
If you have a low income, contact your local community legal clinic. Be sure to tell the clinic if you have a hearing scheduled.
If you cannot get help from a community legal clinic, you can call Pro Bono Ontario's Free Legal Advice Hotline.
Or you can contact the Law Society Referral Service for a free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer or paralegal.
You can also contact JusticeNet, a non-profit organization that can connect you with a lawyer or paralegal who has agreed to work for reduced fees.