Toronto landlord and tenant lawyer representing both landlords and tenants in residential and commercial lease disputes. LTB applications, evictions, rent recovery, lease enforcement, and property damage claims across Toronto and the GTA.
· Reviewed by Jonathan Kleiman, J.D.
Jonathan Kleiman represents both landlords and tenants across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area in disputes arising from residential and commercial leases. Whether you are a property owner dealing with a problem tenant or a tenant facing an unfair eviction, Jonathan provides practical legal advice focused on resolving the dispute efficiently — through negotiation when possible and through the tribunal or courts when necessary.
The work spans every stage of a landlord-tenant relationship: lease review and drafting, rent recovery, maintenance and habitability disputes, contested evictions, security deposit claims, property damage, commercial lease enforcement, managing rental properties and resolving tenant disputes, and representation at the Landlord and Tenant Board, Small Claims Court, and the Ontario Superior Court.
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Residential tenancies in Ontario are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA). The Act sets out the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants, and most disputes are resolved through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Jonathan handles the full range of residential tenancy matters:
When a tenant stops paying rent, the landlord must follow a specific process: serve an N4 notice, wait the notice period, and file an L1 application with the LTB if the tenant does not pay. Jonathan handles the notice drafting, application filing, and hearing representation. For tenants, Jonathan reviews whether the landlord followed the correct procedure and raises available defences including maintenance set-offs and improper notice.
Ontario law requires landlords to use specific notice forms depending on the reason for termination — N4 for non-payment, N5 for interference or damage, N12 for personal use, N13 for demolition or conversion. Each form has different notice periods and procedural requirements. Serving the wrong form or miscounting the notice period can invalidate the entire eviction. Jonathan ensures the correct notice is served properly and represents landlords and tenants at the resulting LTB hearing.
Tenants in Ontario have substantial legal protections under the RTA. You cannot be evicted without a Board order. You are entitled to a habitable unit in a good state of repair. Rent increases are capped by provincial guidelines in most cases. If your landlord is harassing you, illegally entering your unit, withholding services, or refusing to make repairs, Jonathan can help you file the appropriate application with the LTB and pursue remedies including rent abatements, compliance orders, and administrative fines.
Landlords are entitled to collect rent on time, maintain reasonable rules for the property, pursue eviction when legally justified, and recover damages caused by tenants. When tenants damage the unit, disturb other residents, engage in illegal activity, or refuse to vacate after a valid notice, Jonathan represents landlords through the LTB process and, where necessary, through the courts. Proper documentation and correct procedure are essential — a well-prepared case resolves faster and costs less.
Landlords are required by law to maintain rental units in a good state of repair and comply with health, safety, and housing standards. When a landlord fails to address maintenance issues — plumbing, heating, pest infestations, structural problems — tenants can file a T6 application with the LTB. The Board can order the landlord to complete repairs and award a rent abatement for the period the unit was in disrepair. Jonathan represents both tenants pursuing repairs and landlords responding to maintenance applications.
When a tenant causes damage beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord can pursue a claim through the LTB during the tenancy or through Small Claims Court after the tenancy ends. Conversely, tenants can pursue landlords for damage to personal property caused by negligence or failure to maintain the premises. Jonathan handles property damage claims for both sides, including evidence gathering, expert assessments, and hearing or trial representation.
The LTB is the primary tribunal for resolving residential tenancy disputes in Ontario. Applications cover evictions, rent arrears, maintenance issues, illegal charges, bad faith notices, and above-guideline rent increases. The LTB process involves specific forms, filing deadlines, service requirements, disclosure rules, and hearing procedures. Jonathan handles the entire process:
A clean lease, served correctly, with a paper trail of documented communications, wins most landlord-tenant disputes before they ever reach a hearing.
Commercial leases are not governed by the Residential Tenancies Act. There is no LTB for commercial tenants — disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or the courts. Commercial lease issues tend to involve higher stakes and more complex contractual terms including personal guarantees, assignment and subletting restrictions, operating cost pass-throughs, and demolition clauses.
Jonathan represents commercial landlords and tenants in:
Commercial lease disputes under $50,000 are handled in Small Claims Court. Disputes above that threshold proceed to the Ontario Superior Court. Jonathan handles both.
Jonathan handles lease disputes for landlords and tenants across Toronto. Free consultation.
A well-drafted lease prevents disputes. A poorly drafted one creates them. Jonathan reviews residential and commercial leases for landlords and tenants before signing, identifying terms that could create liability, ambiguity, or enforcement problems down the road. When a lease has already been signed and a party is not complying with its terms, Jonathan pursues enforcement through demand letters, negotiation, and — when necessary — litigation.
Common lease issues include unclear maintenance responsibilities, improper rent increase provisions, ambiguous termination clauses, and missing provisions for security deposits. If you need a lease reviewed or a contract dispute resolved, Jonathan can help.
For landlords, recovering unpaid rent is often the most urgent issue. Jonathan handles rent recovery through the LTB (L1 and L9 applications), Small Claims Court (for claims after the tenancy ends or for commercial tenancies), and demand letters designed to prompt voluntary payment before litigation. The goal is always to recover what is owed as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Not every landlord-tenant dispute needs to go to a hearing or trial. Many disputes resolve through direct negotiation, mediation at the LTB, or structured settlement discussions. Jonathan approaches every file with resolution in mind — pursuing the most practical path to a fair outcome while keeping legal costs proportional to the amount at stake. When settlement is not possible, Jonathan prepares the case for hearing or trial.
Some landlord-tenant disputes fall outside the LTB's jurisdiction. Property damage claims after a tenancy ends, commercial lease disputes, claims for wrongful withholding of deposits, and disputes above the LTB's monetary limits may need to be pursued in Small Claims Court (up to $50,000) or the Ontario Superior Court. Jonathan handles landlord-tenant litigation across all three forums — the LTB, Small Claims Court, and Superior Court — and advises clients on which venue is most appropriate for their situation.
The procedural rules at the LTB and in court are technical and unforgiving. A landlord who serves the wrong notice can lose six months. A tenant who does not raise a defence in time can lose their tenancy. A commercial lease dispute argued in the wrong forum can be dismissed on jurisdiction alone. Working with a landlord and tenant lawyer in Toronto gives you:
You are not required to have a lawyer at the LTB, but the process is procedural and technical. Serving the wrong notice, missing a deadline, or failing to raise a defence properly can cost you months or end your tenancy. A landlord and tenant lawyer understands the rules, prepares your evidence, and advocates on your behalf at the hearing.
Yes. Landlords can sue tenants in Small Claims Court for property damage, unpaid rent that was not recovered through the LTB, or other monetary claims up to $50,000. This is common after a tenancy ends and the LTB no longer has jurisdiction over the matter.
Yes. Tenants can sue landlords in Small Claims Court for wrongful withholding of a last month's rent deposit, property damage to personal belongings, illegal lockouts, or other monetary claims. The claim must be $50,000 or less.
Start by serving the correct notice under the Residential Tenancies Act — typically an N4 (Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent). If the tenant does not pay within the notice period, you can file an L1 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board. A landlord tenant lawyer can ensure the notice is served correctly and represent you at the hearing.
Document everything — photographs, emails, and written requests. If informal communication fails, you can file a T6 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for maintenance and repair issues. The Board can order the landlord to complete repairs and may award a rent abatement. Do not withhold rent without legal advice.
Yes. Commercial leases are not governed by the Residential Tenancies Act and disputes are handled in Small Claims Court (up to $50,000) or the Ontario Superior Court. Jonathan handles commercial lease negotiations, enforcement, breach of lease claims, and eviction matters for both commercial landlords and tenants.
Bring the lease agreement, any notices served or received (N4, N12, N13, etc.), correspondence between the parties (emails, texts, letters), photographs of the property, rent payment records, and a written chronology of events. The more documentation you provide, the clearer the legal picture.
Immediately. Most LTB notices have short response windows — some as short as 5 days. Missing a deadline can result in losing your right to a hearing or having an order issued against you by default. Early legal advice gives you the best chance of a favourable outcome.
Notice periods are short and procedural mistakes are costly. Call Jonathan for a free 30-minute consultation to figure out the right next step.