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When you receive an LTB hearing notice and realize you cannot attend, your first instinct is probably to panic. A hearing about rent arrears or eviction feels too important to miss. The good news: the LTB has a formal process for requesting a postponement. It is called an adjournment.
This guide explains exactly how to request one, what the LTB looks for, and what happens if you skip the hearing without asking first.
What Is an LTB Adjournment?
An adjournment is a temporary postponement of a scheduled hearing to a new date. Either party — landlord or tenant — can request one.
The LTB can grant an adjournment before the hearing begins or at the start of the hearing itself. The most common scenario: a landlord cannot attend the scheduled date and needs it moved.
Adjournments are not automatic. The LTB weighs the stated reason, the impact on the other party, the case history, and the urgency of the matter before deciding. A prompt, well-documented request is significantly more likely to succeed than a vague, last-minute one.
The Legal Basis: Rule 21
LTB adjournments are governed by Rule 21 of the LTB's Rules of Procedure. Rule 21 gives the LTB discretion to adjourn a hearing on its own initiative or on the request of a party or their authorized agent.
In practice, the adjudicator considers:
- Whether there are reasonable grounds for the request
- Whether granting the adjournment would unfairly prejudice the other party
- Whether the hearing has already been adjourned before on the same file
- The complexity and urgency of the application
- Whether the matter could proceed without the requesting party present
There is no automatic right to an adjournment. Each request is evaluated on its facts, and that evaluation gets stricter if an earlier adjournment has already been granted on the same case.
Step 1 — Request Early, Before the Hearing
If you know you cannot attend, contact the LTB as soon as the conflict becomes clear. Do not wait.
How to submit a pre-hearing adjournment request:
- Contact the LTB by phone or through the online portal — the London Regional Office handles most Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Huron, and Perth County cases
- Reference the file number printed on your hearing notice
- State the reason for the request clearly and briefly
- Attach any supporting documentation (doctor's note, flight confirmation, employer letter)
- Note whether the other party (usually the tenant) consents to the adjournment
If the tenant consents in writing, the LTB will almost always grant the request. Get that consent before submitting — a simple email or text exchange is sufficient.
LTB contact options:
- Phone: 1-888-332-3234 (general LTB line)
- Online e-filing portal: tribunalsontario.ca/ltb
- Written request submitted through your case file on the portal
Step 2 — Requesting at the Hearing (When You Have No Choice)
If something unexpected happens on or near the hearing date, you can raise an adjournment request at the very start of the hearing itself. This is less ideal than requesting in advance, but the adjudicator will hear it.
At the hearing:
- Raise the adjournment request before the case moves into substance
- Explain the reason clearly and briefly
- Indicate whether you attempted to contact the other party beforehand
- Present any documentation you have available
If the adjournment is denied and the hearing proceeds, you are expected to participate fully. Leaving after a denial does not stop the process. The adjudicator will continue and may issue an order without your input.
Valid Grounds for an Adjournment
The LTB accepts adjournment requests when the reason is genuine and the request is timely. Recognized grounds include:
Medical emergency or illness Provide a doctor's note or hospital confirmation showing you cannot physically attend on the scheduled date. A vague claim of being unwell without documentation carries very little weight.
Key witness unavailable If a witness with essential evidence — a contractor, city inspector, or maintenance worker — cannot attend, explain what evidence they would provide and why it cannot be submitted another way (written statement, affidavit, photographs). The LTB may ask why an affidavit would not suffice.
Legal representation not yet secured If you recently retained a paralegal or lawyer and they need additional preparation time, a short adjournment request on those grounds is usually considered reasonable — particularly if the retainer was signed close to the hearing date.
Critical documentation not yet available If you are waiting for a repair estimate, rent ledger from a previous bank, or municipal inspection report that you requested before the hearing notice arrived, document the outstanding request and the expected delivery date.
Family emergency or bereavement Provide what documentation you have — an obituary, hospital record, or similar — and make the request as promptly as circumstances allow.
Scheduling conflict that pre-dates the hearing notice A travel booking or mandatory work commitment that existed before the hearing was scheduled is a legitimate ground, provided you can show the conflict is genuine and pre-existing.
Grounds That Will Not Work
Certain adjournment requests are denied routinely. Do not rely on:
- Forgetting the hearing date
- Dissatisfaction with the assigned hearing format (written, video, or in-person)
- Wanting more time to prepare without a specific, documented reason
- Prior adjournments already granted on the same file without a new, distinct reason
- Requesting adjournment primarily to delay an application the tenant filed against you
Tactical delay — using adjournment requests to stall a rent arrears L1 application — is something adjudicators see regularly, and the LTB will deny it. A request that reads like stalling harms your credibility for the substantive case as well.
What Happens If You Miss the Hearing Without Requesting an Adjournment?
This is the scenario most landlords fear, and the concern is well-founded.
If you (the landlord) filed the application and do not appear: The LTB may dismiss your application entirely. You would need to re-file and pay the filing fee again ($186 online for an L1 as of 2026). On a case where rent arrears are accumulating, a dismissal resets your timeline and extends exposure by months.
If the tenant does not appear and you are present: The case can proceed. The adjudicator hears your evidence and may issue an order in your favour — this is the default order scenario.
If neither party appears: The LTB typically dismisses the application or treats it as abandoned.
The default order risk runs both ways. If you miss a T2 or T6 counter-application filed by the tenant, the adjudicator may issue a rent abatement order or monetary award without you present to contest it. Attending every hearing, on every application — including applications filed against you — is not optional.
Consent Adjournments: The Easiest Path
If both parties agree to adjourn, the process is much simpler. Contact the tenant (or their representative) before reaching out to the LTB. Get their consent in writing — an email thread or text message exchange is sufficient.
Then submit a joint request to the LTB with:
- The file number
- Both parties' names
- Confirmation of mutual consent
- A proposed new date range, if you have one (or state "no date preference")
A consent adjournment is almost always granted. The LTB issues a new hearing date and notifies both parties.
If the tenant refuses to consent and you still have valid grounds, submit the request on your own. The LTB will consider both positions.
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How Long Until the New Hearing Date?
After an adjournment is granted, the LTB schedules a new hearing. The wait depends on:
- The application type — L1 rent arrears cases are typically prioritized
- Current LTB volume and the regional office's queue
- Whether the matter has been flagged as urgent
In the London/Middlesex area, L1 applications currently run 8–14 weeks from filing to a first hearing. An adjourned hearing re-enters the scheduling queue. In practice, adjourned matters are often rescheduled 4–8 weeks from the adjournment date, but this varies.
For matters involving serious, ongoing risk — significant property damage, health and safety hazards, or utility cutoffs — parties can request an urgent hearing designation. An adjournment does not preclude an urgency request if circumstances change.
When the Tenant Requests an Adjournment
Landlords sometimes learn that the tenant has requested an adjournment before you had a chance to. You have the right to consent or object.
When consenting makes sense:
- The reason is clearly genuine (documented medical issue, family emergency)
- A brief delay does not change your legal position or financial exposure significantly
- You prefer to attend with more preparation time yourself
When objecting makes sense:
- The tenant has already received one or more adjournments on this file
- Ongoing rent arrears are growing and delay increases your exposure
- The request appears to be a tactical delay rather than a genuine conflict
File your objection in writing with the LTB as promptly as possible. State the grounds clearly: how many prior adjournments have been granted, the financial impact of delay, and any reasons to believe the request is not genuine.
Adjudicators recognize repeat adjournment requests from the same party as a pattern. Reference it in your objection if it applies.
Adjournments and the Overall LTB Timeline
Every adjournment extends your total timeline. For context, here is what a typical L1 case looks like in the London/Middlesex area:
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Filing to first hearing | 8–14 weeks |
| Order issued after hearing | Same day or within a few days |
| 11-day void period before enforcement | 11 days |
| Sheriff enforcement (if tenant does not vacate) | 4–8 additional weeks |
An adjournment at the hearing stage adds another 4–8 weeks. A second adjournment adds more. A case with two adjournments can reach 6–9 months from filing to Sheriff enforcement.
This is the real cost of unnecessary adjournments — for either party. Prepare for your hearing date. Attend if at all possible.
London and Southwestern Ontario Context
Most London-area cases are handled by the London Regional LTB office, which serves Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Huron, and Perth counties. Since 2021, hearings are predominantly conducted via video (Microsoft Teams or similar), with in-person available for specific circumstances.
For London landlords, video hearings reduce the burden of some scheduling conflicts. A hearing that would have required a full day in person can now be joined from a phone in a quiet location. That said, the LTB still expects parties to attend — participating by phone in a hallway is not ideal, and missing the hearing entirely is not excused by the video format.
For Strathroy and St. Thomas landlords: your applications are managed through the London Regional office as well. The same adjournment rules and the same 8–14 week L1 timeline apply.
If you are a London landlord with a property under the City of London Rental Housing Licence, be aware that any ongoing bylaw compliance issues are separate from the LTB process — but they can be raised at the hearing if the tenant's application concerns property standards.
Common Mistakes
1. Waiting until the day of the hearing to request. Submit as soon as you know there is a conflict. A request filed the morning of the hearing gives the LTB almost no time to act before proceedings begin.
2. Submitting without supporting documentation. "I have a conflict" is not enough. Attach the evidence that makes the reason credible.
3. Assuming silence is consent. If the tenant does not reply to your request for consent, that is not consent. Document your attempt and note it in your submission to the LTB.
4. Missing the hearing after a denial. If the LTB denies your adjournment request and you do not appear, you face dismissal (if you filed the application) or a default order (if the tenant filed). Neither outcome is recoverable without re-filing and paying fees again.
5. Using adjournments to delay an inevitable outcome. If the arrears are documented and the notice was properly served, delay only extends your exposure. Consider a consent order or repayment plan at the hearing as an alternative to dragging out the timeline.
6. Forgetting to notify your paralegal. If you have legal representation, contact them the moment a conflict arises. They may be able to request the adjournment on your behalf or arrange to have a colleague attend.
7. Re-filing instead of requesting an adjournment. Withdrawing and re-filing wastes money and restarts the LTB queue. If your case is already scheduled, an adjournment is nearly always the correct path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request an adjournment by email? Yes. Email the LTB at the address on your hearing notice or submit through the LTB e-filing portal at tribunalsontario.ca. Include the file number, the reason, and any supporting documents.
How much notice does the LTB need? There is no fixed minimum, but requests submitted 5 or more business days before the hearing have the best chance of being processed in time. Day-of requests are possible but may not reach the adjudicator before proceedings begin.
Can the LTB grant an adjournment without a stated reason? No. The LTB requires a stated reason. Vague requests without documentation are routinely denied.
What if the adjournment is denied and I still cannot attend? If genuine circumstances prevent you from attending after a denial, make sure the LTB has your written position and evidence on file before the hearing date. A written affidavit or submission gives the adjudicator something to consider even in your absence, though it does not replace your attendance.
Does the tenant have the right to an adjournment? The tenant has the same right to request an adjournment as the landlord. The LTB applies the same criteria to both parties. You can object to a tenant adjournment request, and the adjudicator will weigh both positions.
Can I request more than one adjournment on the same file? Technically yes, but each successive request faces more scrutiny. A second adjournment requires a stronger, clearly different reason. The LTB will note the history.
What if the new hearing date conflicts with my schedule as well? Contact the LTB promptly after receiving the new date and explain the conflict. The LTB attempts to schedule at reasonable times, and genuine conflicts raised immediately after the notice issues are usually accommodated — especially on a first such request.
Do rent arrears keep accumulating during an adjournment? Yes. An adjournment does not pause the tenancy or stop rent from accruing. You can amend your L1 application before the new hearing date to update the arrears total.
A Note on Preparation
The best way to avoid needing an adjournment is to be ready before the hearing notice arrives. That means:
- Organized rent ledgers that show every payment and every shortfall
- Copies of all notices served, with Certificate of Service completed at service time
- Documentation of every maintenance request and your written response
- A calendar block around your hearing date the moment the notice arrives
If you are managing a rental property in London, St. Thomas, or Strathroy and the LTB process feels overwhelming, see what full-service property management costs. Prospera Properties handles hearing preparation, documentation, and timeline tracking for landlords with one to five units across Southwestern Ontario.
For more on the LTB process, see: How to Prepare for an LTB Hearing, What Happens If the Tenant Doesn't Show Up, How Long Does an Eviction Take in Ontario, and LTB Consent Orders Explained.