The Ontario government is making an additional $1.4 million investment into the Landlord and Tenant Board, which will allow the board to hire over 35 additional operational staff to enhance scheduling and client experience, issue decisions and orders faster and help tackle the high number of cases before the board.
The funding builds on the $4.5 million investment over three years announced earlier this year, which will be used to recruit more adjudicators and further help the Landlord and Tenant Board to address longstanding backlog issues.
“We’re investing millions of dollars to increase the number of adjudicators and staff at the Landlord and Tenant Board, so the board can work to alleviate its case load, which was impacted by COVID-related delays,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Residents and rental housing providers will get faster results, shorter wait times and a better overall experience when they need to engage the board.”
This funding will also enable the board to create a centre of excellence for client engagement to better assist those involved in cases before the board.
In summer 2021, the Ministry of the Attorney General announced a new multi-year plan aimed at enhancing access to the justice system, which includes a $28.5-million investment in a new digital case-management and dispute resolution system for Ontario’s tribunals. The Landlord and Tenant Board became the first to use Tribunals Ontario’s new digital case management system, an end-to-end solution that includes online dispute resolution and features to help with mediation.
“This timely investment is a tangible expression of the government’s support of the Landlord and Tenant Board and Tribunals Ontario,” said Sean Weir, Executive Chair of Tribunals Ontario. “These additional resources will provide welcome assistance in addressing the backlog of cases and challenges that resulted from COVID-related delays.”
“We recognize the important role the Landlord and Tenant Board plays in resolving housing related disputes,” said Tony Irwin, President and CEO of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario. “These important investments will help ensure that both residents and rental housing providers receive timely decisions and support the accessibility of quality rental housing in Ontario.”
Quick Facts
- This year the Landlord and Tenant Board had 87 full time and part time adjudicators, the highest number of adjudicators ever.
- The Landlord and Tenant Board resolves disputes between residential landlords and tenants and handles eviction applications filed by non-profit housing co-operatives under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.