Can I file a complaint if my landlord retaliates for requesting repairs?

Yes; tenants can seek remedies through the Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy matters and through City of Markham by-law channels for property-standards issues.

How long do I have to file?

Time limits depend on the forum (tribunal or municipal process); specific statutory deadlines are governed by tribunal rules or statute and are not specified on the cited municipal page.

Are there fees to file with the LTB?

There may be application fees or fee waivers set by the tribunal; check the Landlord and Tenant Board for current fee information.

File Anti-Retaliation Complaints in Markham, Ontario

Housing and Building Standards Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026

· By Daniel Roy

Tenants in Markham, Ontario who face landlord retaliation for reporting repairs, contacting authorities, or asserting legal rights have routes to complain and seek remedies at the provincial and municipal levels. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 governs many retaliatory eviction and rent-retaliation matters; administrative remedies are available through the Landlord and Tenant Board and municipal by-law channels for property-standards issues. For municipal enforcement or property-standards complaints, contact the City of Markham By-law Compliance & Enforcement office below. ^[1]

Act promptly when you suspect retaliation to preserve evidence and deadlines.

What is retaliation?

Retaliation generally means adverse actions by a landlord after a tenant exercises a legal right, such as filing a repair complaint, contacting enforcement agencies, or refusing entry for an unlawful purpose. Remedies differ by forum: the Landlord and Tenant Board addresses tenancy-specific orders, while municipal by-law officers address property-standards breaches and orders to comply.

How to assess a retaliation claim

Document dates, notices, communications and any repair requests or complaints.
Keep copies of written correspondence, photos, repair invoices and entry logs.
Contact the appropriate enforcement office early to confirm jurisdiction and next steps.

Penalties & Enforcement

Different authorities may impose different sanctions. The Landlord and Tenant Board may issue orders to stop a termination or require compensation; municipal by-law officers may issue orders, tickets or fines under local bylaws and pursue court actions for noncompliance. For City enforcement contact details and complaint pathways see the City of Markham By-law Compliance & Enforcement page. ^[2]

Monetary fines: specific fine amounts for retaliation under municipal bylaws are not specified on the cited municipal page.
LTB remedies: monetary compensation and orders may be available; specific amounts and schedules are determined by the Board or statute and are not specified on the municipal page.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, stop notices, prohibitions on termination, or mandatory repairs.
Enforcer: Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy law issues; City of Markham By-law Compliance & Enforcement for property-standards matters and municipal tickets.
Inspection and complaint pathways: municipal complaint intake by By-law Compliance & Enforcement; LTB applications for tenancy disputes.
Appeals and reviews: LTB decisions have appeal routes to Divisional Court in some cases; specific time limits for appeals are governed by statute or tribunal rules and are not specified on the cited municipal page.

If you face imminent eviction, start the tribunal or municipal complaint process immediately.

Applications & Forms

Tenants typically file an application at the Landlord and Tenant Board for orders related to retaliatory eviction or rent increases; municipal complaints use the City of Markham complaint intake. Exact form names, numbers, fees and filing methods should be confirmed with the LTB and the City; some form names and fees are not specified on the cited municipal page.

Some filings require service on the landlord and meeting short deadlines.

Action steps

Collect and preserve evidence: dated photos, emails, repair requests and notices.
Make a written complaint to your landlord and keep a copy.
File a municipal property-standards complaint if the issue implicates health and safety.
Apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy remedies where appropriate.
If you receive a termination notice you believe is retaliatory, apply to the LTB promptly to dispute it.

FAQ

Can I file a complaint if my landlord retaliates for requesting repairs?: Yes; tenants can seek remedies through the Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy matters and through City of Markham by-law channels for property-standards issues.
How long do I have to file?: Time limits depend on the forum (tribunal or municipal process); specific statutory deadlines are governed by tribunal rules or statute and are not specified on the cited municipal page.
Are there fees to file with the LTB?: There may be application fees or fee waivers set by the tribunal; check the Landlord and Tenant Board for current fee information.

How-To

Document the issue with dates, photos and copies of communications.
Contact the City of Markham By-law Compliance & Enforcement if the issue relates to property standards or municipal bylaws.
File an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy-based retaliation claims.
Attend scheduled hearings and present evidence; follow tribunal directions for orders and enforcement.

Key Takeaways

Act quickly: preserve evidence and meet filing deadlines.
Use both provincial (LTB) and municipal (City of Markham) routes where appropriate.