If your tenant hasn't paid rent and the N4 notice period has expired, the next step is filing an L1 Application for non-payment of rent with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). One mistake on this form can delay your case by months — at a tribunal already resolving only half of cases within its own 90-day target.
What the L1 Is (and Isn't)
The L1 is an LTB application, not a notice. You don't give it to your tenant — you file it with the Tribunals Ontario portal. Unlike the N4 (which you serve directly on your tenant), the L1 goes to the LTB and triggers the hearing process.
You can only file an L1 after:
- You've served a valid N4 Notice of Termination for Non-Payment of Rent
- The notice period has expired (14 days for monthly/annual tenancies; 7 days for daily/weekly)
- Your tenant has not paid or vacated
What You'll Need to Complete the L1
Before you start, gather:
- Your tenant's full legal name and rental unit address
- The date rent was first due and unpaid
- The total amount of rent owed (including any NSF fees, if applicable)
- A copy of your signed N4 (you'll need the termination date)
- Your LTB login — the L1 is filed through tribunalsontario.ca
The L1 Application: Section by Section
Section 1 — Applicant and Respondent Information
Enter your name and address as the landlord. Enter the tenant's full legal name — if there are multiple tenants, list all of them. Use the name on the lease. A wrong name here can result in a defective application.
Section 2 — Rental Unit
Enter the full civic address including unit number. If you own a multi-unit building, specify the exact unit.
Section 3 — Rent and Arrears
This is where most mistakes happen. You need to enter:
- Monthly rent amount
- The date rent stopped being paid
- Any other charges (NSF fees are allowable under the RTA; other charges may not be)
- Total amount owing
Calculate this carefully. An incorrect arrears amount doesn't void your application, but it limits what the order can award you.
Section 4 — The N4 Notice
You'll input the termination date from your N4. This date must be correct — a wrong termination date on your N4 voids the notice itself, which means your L1 will be dismissed regardless of the arrears.
LTB Ready's N4 wizard calculates this date automatically based on your tenancy type and rent payment date. Generate your N4 →
Section 5 — Rent Deposit
If you hold a last month's rent deposit, you must disclose it. The LTB will credit this against any arrears owed.
Filing the L1
The L1 is filed online through the Tribunals Ontario portal. The LTB fee for an L1 is $186, paid directly to the Tribunal. This fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a paralegal.
Once filed, you'll receive a Notice of Hearing by mail. Real-world timelines in the GTA run 4–8 months from filing to hearing — which is why getting it right the first time matters.
Common L1 Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong N4 termination date — Voids the N4, dismisses the L1
- Wrong tenant name — Can delay or invalidate the hearing
- Including non-allowable charges — The LTB cannot award landlord legal fees or non-RTA charges
- Missing the rent deposit disclosure — Can undermine your credibility at hearing
- Filing before the notice period expires — The application will be premature
Save Time and Avoid Errors
LTB Ready walks you through both the N4 and L1 with a step-by-step wizard, pre-checks your termination dates, and generates completed forms ready to submit. Paralegals charge $500–$1,200 to prepare an L1 application. LTB Ready does it starting at $39.