If your landlord is trying to force you out without following legal procedures, you may be facing an illegal eviction. In Ontario, tenants have strong protections under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), and landlords must follow strict rules when terminating a lease.

This guide explains how to recognize an illegal eviction, what your rights are, and how to fight back if your landlord is breaking the law.

1. What Is an Illegal Eviction?

📌 An illegal eviction occurs when a landlord tries to remove a tenant without following Ontario’s legal process.

✅ Common illegal eviction tactics include:

• Changing the locks without a legal eviction order.
• Shutting off heat, water, or electricity to force the tenant out.
• Threatening or harassing the tenant to make them leave.
• Physically removing the tenant’s belongings without a court order.
• Falsely claiming the unit is needed for personal use and then re-renting it.
• Pressuring the tenant to sign a lease termination they don’t agree with.

🚨 If a landlord attempts any of these, they are breaking the law.

For more, check Ontario’s Tenant Protection Laws.

2. How Legal Evictions Must Be Handled

📌 In Ontario, landlords must follow a strict process to legally evict a tenant.

✅ Steps landlords must take for a legal eviction:

1. Serve the tenant with a formal eviction notice (e.g., Form N4, N5, or N12).
2. If the tenant does not leave, apply for an eviction order from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
3. Attend a hearing where both sides present their case.
4. If the LTB approves the eviction, the tenant receives a deadline to vacate.
5. If the tenant does not leave, only a court-appointed sheriff can legally remove them.

🚨 Landlords CANNOT evict tenants themselves or force them out early.

For more, check How the Eviction Process Works.

3. What to Do If Your Landlord Is Trying to Illegally Evict You

📌 If your landlord is attempting an illegal eviction, take action immediately.

✅ Steps to protect yourself:

1. Stay in your unit – You do not have to leave unless a sheriff enforces an LTB eviction order.
2. Document everything – Take photos, record conversations, and save written communication.
3. Call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU) at 1-888-772-9277 to report illegal activity.
4. File a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) using Form T2 – Application About Tenant Rights.
5. Seek legal help – A paralegal or tenant advocate can assist with your case.

🚀 Standing your ground and knowing your rights can stop illegal evictions.

For legal support, check How to File a Tenant Rights Complaint.

4. Can a Landlord Evict You for No Reason?

🚨 No! Landlords must have a legal reason to evict a tenant.

📌 Valid reasons for eviction include:✅ Non-payment of rent (with proper notice and a chance to pay back).✅ Excessive damage or illegal activity.✅ Landlord needs the unit for personal use (must provide 60 days’ notice and compensation).✅ Tenant consistently disrupts other residents.

🚀 Even in these cases, landlords must follow the LTB process.

For more, check Legitimate Reasons for Eviction in Ontario.

5. What Are Your Rights If the Landlord Illegally Locks You Out?

🚨 If your landlord has locked you out, you have legal options to regain access.

📌 What to do if locked out:✅ Call the police – Lockouts are illegal under the Residential Tenancies Act.✅ File an urgent application with the LTB to regain entry.✅ Document all evidence (photos of changed locks, landlord’s messages, receipts showing tenancy).✅ Seek compensation – You may be entitled to damages for illegal eviction attempts.

🚀 You have the legal right to stay in your unit unless evicted by a sheriff.

For help, check How to Handle an Illegal Lockout.

6. How to Fight Back Against Retaliation or Harassment

📌 Landlords cannot harass, threaten, or intimidate tenants for asserting their rights.

✅ If your landlord is harassing you:

• Keep records of all incidents (texts, emails, voicemails, written threats).
• File a T2 Application with the LTB for harassment claims.
• Report the harassment to local authorities or tenant advocacy groups.

🚨 Harassment can include repeated eviction threats, excessive inspections, or verbal abuse.

For more, check What to Do If Your Landlord Is Harassing You.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Rights and Stand Firm

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Landlords cannot evict tenants without going through the Landlord and Tenant Board.
• Changing locks, shutting off utilities, or forcing a tenant out is illegal.
• If facing an illegal eviction, stay put, document everything, and report the landlord.
• Seek legal help if needed—tenants have strong protections under Ontario law.

🚀 Need legal support? Contact Carson Frankum for expert tenant defense.

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