What counts as landlord harassment in Ontario?

Harassment includes any course of conduct that a reasonable person knows is unwelcome — repeated unannounced entries, threats, shutting off vital services like heat or water, aggressive or frequent contact, entering without proper 24-hour written notice, or pressuring you to move out. Substantial interference with your reasonable enjoyment of the unit is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act.

How do I prove landlord harassment?

Keep a dated log of every incident, save texts, emails, and voicemails, photograph anything relevant (like a shut-off panel), and get names of witnesses. A clear paper trail is what wins a T2 application at the Landlord and Tenant Board.

What can I get if I file a T2?

A T2 (Application About Tenant Rights) can result in a rent abatement (partial refund), a fine paid to the LTB, an order requiring the landlord to stop the conduct, and compensation for out-of-pocket costs. In serious cases the Board can order other remedies too.

Can my landlord be fined for harassing me?

Yes. Harassment and interfering with a tenant's reasonable enjoyment or vital services are offences. The LTB can order administrative fines, and provincial offences prosecution can carry significant penalties for landlords.

Home BlogLandlord Harassment in Ontario

OntarioSeptember 7, 20267 min read

Landlord Harassment in Ontario: What Counts and How to Stop It

Some landlords, wanting a unit back or a higher-paying tenant, resort to pressure: surprise visits, shut-off utilities, veiled threats. In Ontario that's not just unpleasant — it's illegal, and you can be compensated for it. Here's how to recognize it and fight back.

By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act per our editorial standards·Last reviewed September 2026

What the Law Counts as Harassment

The Residential Tenancies Act prohibits a landlord from harassing, obstructing, coercing, threatening or interfering with a tenant, and from substantially interfering with your reasonable enjoyment of the unit. Common examples that cross the line:

Entering without proper 24-hour written notice, or repeatedly showing up unannounced;
Shutting off or deliberately interfering with vital services — heat, water, electricity, gas;
Threats, intimidation, or aggressive and excessive contact;
Pressuring or bullying you to move out, or offering "cash for keys" in a coercive way;
Removing your belongings or changing the locks without a valid LTB order.

Illegal Entry Is a Common Form

A landlord generally must give 24 hours' written notice stating the reason and a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to enter — with narrow exceptions for emergencies or with your consent. Ignoring that rule repeatedly is a form of harassment. Learn the details in our landlord entry notice guide.

Document Everything

Your case is only as strong as your records. Starting now:

Keep a dated log of every incident — what happened, when, and who was there.
Save every text, email, and voicemail; take screenshots.
Photograph anything physical — a shut-off breaker, a note left on your door, damage.
Note any witnesses (neighbours, a partner) and what they saw.

File a T2 for Compensation

The main remedy is a T2 — Application About Tenant Rights at the Landlord and Tenant Board. A successful T2 can win you a rent abatement (a partial refund for the period affected), an order requiring the landlord to stop, compensation for your costs, and a fine paid to the Board. See the T2 form explainer for how it works.

If Vital Services Are Cut Off

Deliberately withholding heat, water, or power is treated very seriously. Contact your municipality's bylaw office right away (they can order services restored fast), and file a T2 — the Board can order emergency remedies. Never let a landlord tell you a shut-off is a normal way to handle a dispute; it isn't.