When a tenant leaves owing rent — voluntarily, after an N11, or after an eviction — many landlords assume the money is gone. It does not have to be. Ontario’s L10 application allows landlords to pursue former tenants for unpaid rent and compensation after the tenancy has ended.
What the L10 Application Is
The L10 is an application to collect money from a former tenant. It can be used to recover: unpaid rent after the tenant vacated, damage to the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, other unpaid charges related to the tenancy (NSF fees, for example), and compensation for losses caused by the tenant breaking a lease early.
The Deadline to File
The L10 must be filed within one year of the day the tenancy ended. This is a strict deadline — miss it and you lose the ability to use the LTB for this claim. If you have a valid claim, do not delay.
What You Need to Prove
For rent arrears, you need a rent ledger showing what was owed and what was paid. For damage, you need photographs and repair invoices. The standard is ‘on a balance of probabilities’ — the LTB needs to believe it is more likely than not that the tenant owes the amount claimed.
Getting an Order vs. Collecting the Money
Winning an L10 order means the LTB has confirmed the debt. Collecting it is a separate step. You can use the order to pursue a garnishment of wages or a bank account through the Court Enforcement Office. If the former tenant has no assets or income, collection can be difficult.
When Small Claims Court Makes More Sense
If the amount owed exceeds the LTB’s monetary jurisdiction, or if you prefer the Small Claims Court process, you can pursue the claim there instead. The L10 route and the Small Claims Court route are mutually exclusive — choose one based on the amount and your circumstances.
What Comes Next
Stonegate handles L10 applications and post-tenancy debt recovery for Ontario landlords. Book a free call at https://calendly.com/stonegatelegalservices/20min.
▶ Watch: Collecting Arrears After an LTB Order: Landlord’s Guide to the Process
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