Durham Region · Ontario · Online LTB hearings

Durham Region landlord paralegals who get your property back.

N4 non-payment, N12 own-use, N8 late rent and cash-for-keys, handled start to finish at the Landlord and Tenant Board by eviction paralegals who only represent landlords and own rental properties too.

500+ Google reviews from Ontario landlords
Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario

Robert Di Lisi, Durham Region landlord paralegal, at his desk in the Stonegate office

Landlord-onlyWe never act for tenants
25+Years helping landlords
10,225+Landlord files handled
7Licensed paralegals
46Ontario cities and growing
500+★★★★★ Google reviews
Landlord-side legal services

Durham Region eviction paralegals, on the landlord’s side only

Every file gets a notice review before it is served. One error restarts the clock, so we catch it first.

Non-payment of rent (N4)The most common matter for Durham Region landlords. Tenants include GTA commuters, families and Ontario Tech University and Durham College students, and when a job changes or hours are cut, rent is often the first payment that stops. One error on the N4 restarts the void period and adds weeks. We review the notice first, then draft, file and represent you through the L1 hearing.Learn more →Personal use (N12)Across Durham, owners regularly want a home back for themselves or a family member, or need it vacant for a sale, often with a closing date that leaves no room for error. The N12 needs the correct compensation, proper timing and a declaration that holds up at a hearing. Bill 97 tightened the rules, and a misstep can cost months. We prepare the N12 correctly from the start.Learn more →Persistent late rent (N8)A tenant who pays consistently, but always late, shows a pattern that can justify termination. We track the payment history, prepare the N8 notice and file the L2 application if the behaviour isn’t corrected. This route turns on a precise, dated record of every late payment, and we build it for the Durham Region hearing.Learn more →Cash-for-keysWhere a hearing isn’t the preferred route, or speed matters more, a negotiated move-out can get a Durham Region landlord the unit back faster and without the LTB queue. We negotiate and document the agreement, usually with an N11, so the terms are enforceable and you are not exposed after the tenant vacates.Learn more →Demolition & repairs (N13)Planning a demolition, a conversion to another use, or repairs so extensive the unit must be vacant? We prepare the N13 correctly, advise on the compensation and right of first refusal that may apply, and file the L2 application.Learn more →T2 & T6 defenceWhen a tenant files a maintenance or harassment application, the response strategy matters. A T2 or T6 hearing can carry real financial consequences, including rent abatements and administrative fines. We build your defence, gather the evidence and represent you at the LTB.Learn more →Notice review & re-serviceThe LTB is high-volume, and applications with errors (a wrong rent figure, an improper service method, an incorrect notice period) get returned. That costs weeks. We review every Durham Region notice before it is served and fix the issues that lead to re-service.Learn more →Rent owed after move-out?Most landlords want to know if it’s worth chasing. On the free call we’ll look at the amount and the tenant’s situation and give you a straight answer, before you spend a dollar.Learn more →
Robert Di LisiBita Di Lisi
Why landlords choose Stonegate

We’re landlords too. We only ever sit on your side of the table.

Robert and Bita Di Lisi own rental properties themselves, so we know what a missed month of rent actually costs. Stonegate has never represented a tenant: no conflicts, no divided loyalties.

Landlord-onlyNever tenants. Ever.
Flat-fee pricingQuoted before you sign.
24-hour responseAnswered in 1 business day.
Notice reviewEvery notice checked before it’s served.
Our process

How it works

What happens when you hire us.

  1. 1Free discovery callA short, no-obligation call. You tell us what’s happening; we tell you your options and what to expect.
  2. 2Notice prepared & servedWe prepare the correct notice and handle service in line with LTB requirements.
  3. 3Application & evidenceWe file your application and compile the evidence package. Nothing missed before your hearing date.
  4. 4LTB hearingWe attend, present your evidence and advocate on your behalf, anywhere in Ontario.
  5. 5Post-order guidanceIf the tenant won’t leave after the order, we file with the Sheriff and coordinate the eviction.
Book your free discovery call20 minutes · No obligation · We call you
Verified Google reviews

Trusted by landlords across Ontario

500+

Google reviews from Ontario landlordsRead all reviews on Google →
Shahram FOROUZANFARGoogle review · ★★★★★

“I highly recommend this firm. They have always been very helpful and professional.”

Sebastian Lighvani, M.D.Google review · ★★★★★

“Bita is very knowledgeable and has an excellent command of legal matters pertaining to landlord and tenant issues. She was very responsive, and showed a high degree of professionalism and integrity. You would do well having someone like her on your side.”

Niloo LighvaniGoogle review · ★★★★★

“I was very pleased with their level of service and professionalism. Bita was very helpful and responsive. She was very knowledgeable, I would highly recommend them.”

Ken JansenGoogle review · ★★★★★

“We have used Bita for several of our LTB issues and couldn’t possibly be happier. She was very professional, effective, and affordable. We were successful at every hearing and she certainly knows what she is doing.”

小学生收藏Google review · ★★★★★

“Stonegate helped us deal with a very difficult tenant who gave me a really hard time when selling our rental property. They guided us through the process properly, made sure all documents were prepared correctly. Bita and her team are very experienced in handling landlord-tenant relations.”

Anna ObyavinGoogle review · ★★★★★

“I had the pleasure to work with Berkan and I would like to praise his professionalism, empathy and patience. We had a complex case, and Berkan got us a hearing two months after filing! We received the order 13 days afterwards.”

Karen ChanGoogle review · ★★★★★

“We contacted Stonegate Legal Services for assistance in handling a difficult tenant situation. Anome patiently listened to our concerns and answered all of our questions. We are so thankful to Anome, Bita and the entire team at Stonegate.”

azad aGoogle review · ★★★★★

“Received sound advice and direction from Stonegate Legal Services to conclude the issue I had with the tenant and resolve my problem in a reasonably good time-frame. Thank you Stonegate.”

Haneef AnsariGoogle review · ★★★★★

“I couldn’t be happier with the legal services provided by Berkan Altun and the Stonegate Legal Team. They handled my tenant issue with utmost professionalism and efficiency, making it a stress-free process for me.”

Michael KovachisGoogle review · ★★★★★

“I cannot express how grateful I am for the outstanding service provided by Stonegate Legal Services in handling my tenant matter. The team went above and beyond to ensure that my rights as a landlord were protected.”

Meet your team

Real people who will handle your Durham Region file

About Stonegate →

Robert Di LisiRobert Di LisiParalegal – Intake co-ordinator
Bita Di LisiBita Di LisiLead Paralegal
Ravis MohebbianRavis MohebbianParalegal
Anome MehrabianAnome MehrabianParalegal
Eric SpalvieriEric SpalvieriParalegal
Berkan AltunBerkan AltunParalegal
Mark TipoldMark TipoldParalegal/ Support staff
Seminars

We don’t just represent Ontario landlords. We teach them.

Robert and Bita speak to rooms full of landlords and investors about notices, LTB timelines and the mistakes that cost months. The same know-how goes into every file we handle.

See upcoming seminars

Bita Di Lisi presenting to a full seminar room of Ontario landlordsBita Di Lisi presenting
Robert Di Lisi at the Stonegate Legal Services booth at a landlord eventRobert Di Lisi
Built for Durham Region landlords

Durham Region LTB cases are heard online, and we handle them every week

Durham Region stretches from Pickering and Ajax on Toronto’s border through Whitby and Oshawa to Clarington, and north to Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock. LTB hearings are held online, so the outcome depends on how well your notice, application and evidence are prepared, wherever your property sits.

Our team handles Durham Region LTB files every week. We know the documents that carry weight, the defects that send applications back for re-service, and the timelines that decide how quickly you recover possession or rent. From the first notice through to enforcement, we handle the file end to end.

Landlords who file alone often run into avoidable problems: a rent figure that includes charges an N4 can’t claim, a notice served the wrong way, or a hearing where they weren’t ready for the tenant’s arguments. A free 20-minute call before you serve anything avoids most of them.

Durham Region’s rental market

The lakeshore municipalities hold most of the rental stock: suburban homes, townhouses and basement suites in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby, older homes and apartments in central Oshawa and Bowmanville, and newer subdivisions across the region. The northern townships add rural and small-town rentals.

Commuter and investor ownership brings N12 and sale-related files, students bring turnover near the Oshawa campuses, and older stock brings maintenance disputes. We also have dedicated pages for Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington with more local detail.

Neighbourhoods we serve

PickeringAjaxWhitbyOshawaClaringtonUxbridgeScugogBrock
City pages in Durham Region: Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington. We file in every LTB region in Ontario.
Every kind of Durham Region landlord

Who we work with in Durham Region

First-time and single-unit landlordsYou rent out one condo or a basement suite and have never been to the LTB. We explain every step in plain language and handle the paperwork so nothing is missed.
Investors with several propertiesYou carry mortgages on multiple Durham Region units, and a non-paying tenant affects your whole portfolio. We move quickly and keep you updated on every file.
Property managersYou oversee buildings for owners who expect results. We work alongside your team on notices, filings and hearings, with consistent reporting you can pass on.
Owners selling or moving back inYou need the unit back for yourself, a family member or a buyer. We plan the N12 timeline around your closing or move-in date so the paperwork holds up.
Avoid the costly ones

Mistakes that cost Durham Region landlords months of time.

Adding non-rent charges to an N4

An N4 can only claim unpaid rent. Including utility bills, damage costs or fees in the arrears figure can sink the notice and force you to start over.

Accepting payment without advice

If a tenant pays everything owing before the N4 termination date, the notice becomes void. Partial payments raise their own questions. Talk to us before you accept money mid-process.

Changing the locks yourself

Self-help evictions are illegal in Ontario. Only the Sheriff can enforce an eviction order. Doing it yourself invites a T2 application, abatements and fines.

An N12 without the paperwork

Own-use applications need good faith, the required compensation and a signed declaration from the person moving in. Gaps here are a common reason N12 files fail.

Losing the paper trail

N8 and T2 hearings are won on records: dated rent ledgers, receipts, texts and emails. If it isn’t documented, it is hard to prove at hearing.

Waiting too long

Every month a non-paying tenant stays is rent you may never recover. The sooner the correct notice is served, the sooner the clock starts.

What to have ready for your
FREE 20-minute call

You don’t need everything. These help us give you a clear answer on the first call.

  • The lease or tenancy agreement
  • A rent ledger showing payments and what is owed
  • Copies of any notices already served
  • Texts and emails with your tenant
  • The property address and unit details

Book Your FREE Discovery Call

Province-wide coverage

Stonegate represents landlords across Ontario

We file with every LTB region in Ontario. Whether your property is in the GTA, Niagara, Eastern Ontario or the North, Stonegate handles your notices and applications, landlord-only, every time.

Landlord-only representation. Stonegate Legal Services never represents tenants: no conflicts, no divided loyalties. Every LTB filing, notice and hearing is handled by a licensed paralegal.

Frequently asked questions

Durham Region landlord questions

Do you handle Durham Region landlord cases specifically?

Yes. We file LTB applications for Durham Region properties regularly. LTB hearings are held online and we handle them routinely, for landlords across Durham Region from Pickering to Clarington.

How much does an eviction paralegal cost in Durham Region?

We charge flat fees, quoted upfront before you sign. The fee covers the notice, filing and hearing representation. No retainer, no hourly billing, no surprises.

Do you represent tenants?

No. We are a landlord-only firm. We never represent tenants, which means our advice is never diluted by conflicts of interest.

How long does an LTB case take in Durham Region?

Timelines vary by application type. Non-payment N4/L1 matters tend to move faster than conduct or own-use applications. Current LTB wait times will be discussed when we review your file.

What happens if my tenant doesn’t leave after an eviction order?

You can request Sheriff’s enforcement (a Writ of Possession) through the LTB. We handle the enforcement steps after the order issues, including preparing the writ and coordinating with the Sheriff’s office.

Can I book a free consultation?

Yes. We offer a free 20-minute call to review your situation and tell you whether we can help and what it will cost.

Do I need to attend the LTB hearing in person?

No. LTB hearings are held online, and we represent you at the hearing. In most cases you do not need to appear yourself. We handle the file, present the evidence and advocate on your behalf.

What is the difference between an N4 notice and an L1 application?

The N4 is the notice served on the tenant when they have not paid rent. The L1 is the application filed with the LTB after the N4 void period expires. You need both, and we handle both steps.

Can I evict a tenant for reasons other than non-payment of rent?

Yes. The Residential Tenancies Act allows termination for personal use (N12), chronic late payment (N8), demolition or major repair (N13), and illegal acts. We identify the correct path for your situation.

My tenant filed a T2 application against me. What do I do?

Don’t ignore it. A T2 or T6 is a tenant-filed application alleging harassment, illegal entry or maintenance failure. We build your defence, prepare your evidence and represent you at the hearing.

How do I evict a tenant in Durham Region?

In Ontario, a landlord cannot evict on their own. You serve the correct notice for your situation (an N4 for unpaid rent, an N12 for own use, and so on), wait for the termination date, then file the matching application with the LTB. After a hearing, the Board may issue an eviction order. If the tenant still won’t leave, only the Sheriff can enforce it. We handle every step for you.

How do I evict a tenant in Durham Region?My Durham Region tenant won’t leave. What can I do?

Don’t change the locks or remove their things. In Ontario, only the Sheriff can physically remove a tenant, and doing it yourself invites a T2 and fines. The legal route is the correct notice, then an LTB application, then an eviction order. If they still won’t go, the order is enforced by the Sheriff. We handle it from the notice through the hearing, and coordinate with the Sheriff’s office if it comes to that.

Does an N4 notice automatically end the tenancy?

No. If the tenant pays everything owing before the termination date on the N4, the notice becomes void and the tenancy continues. If they don’t, you still need to file an L1 application and get an order from the Board before the tenancy ends.

Do I need an eviction paralegal or a lawyer in Durham Region?

Licensed paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario and are permitted to represent landlords at the Landlord and Tenant Board and in Small Claims Court. For most landlord-tenant matters, a paralegal team that does this work every day is the efficient, cost-effective choice.

When should I contact a paralegal?

Before you serve any notice. Many of the delays we see come from a defective notice served before the landlord got advice. A free 20-minute call first can save you weeks, and sometimes the cost of starting over.

Can I evict my tenant because I’m selling my Durham Region property?

Selling on its own is not grounds to end a tenancy. If the buyer, or a qualifying family member, intends to move in, an N12 can be served for the purchaser’s own use once there is a signed agreement of purchase and sale, but only for buildings with three or fewer residential units. We coordinate the N12 timeline with your closing date.

What if my tenant damaged the unit?

Damage beyond normal wear and tear can be grounds for a notice to end the tenancy, and you can claim the cost of repairs. Photos, invoices and a move-in condition record make a big difference at the hearing. We review your evidence and recommend the right route.

Can I collect unpaid rent after my tenant has moved out?

Sometimes, but for most landlords the amount isn’t worth chasing. On the free call we’ll look at the amount and the tenant’s situation and give you a straight answer, before you spend a dollar.

Do you handle basement apartments and student rentals?

Yes. Basement suites, townhouses and student rentals near the Oshawa campuses are all common in Durham Region, and most are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. One exception: if you share a kitchen or bathroom with the occupant, the Act may not apply. We confirm which rules govern your rental on the first call.

Can you guarantee the outcome of my case?

No honest representative can guarantee what the Board will decide. What we promise is careful preparation, correct paperwork and a straight answer about your chances before you spend money on a hearing.

How much can I raise the rent on my Durham Region tenant?

Most sitting tenants can only receive one increase every 12 months, with at least 90 days’ written notice on the proper form, and the increase is generally capped at Ontario’s annual rent increase guideline. Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are generally exempt from the guideline, but the 12-month and 90-day rules still apply. Going above the guideline in a covered unit requires LTB approval.

Can I ask a new tenant for a damage deposit?

No. In Ontario you can collect a rent deposit of up to one month’s rent, which must be applied to the last month of the tenancy, and a refundable key deposit. Damage deposits are not permitted. Screening carefully and documenting the unit’s condition at move-in is the better protection.