The Residential Tenancies Board

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES BOARD

The Residential Tenancies Board is an administrative board that handles complaints, disputes, and hearings between landlord and tenants. The Board and can be contacted at 1-877-829-2608. The Board receives over 30,000 inquiries a year. As such, there may be wait times before your matter is addressed.

powers of the director

The Residential Tenancies Director is responsible for administering the powers and duties under the Residential Tenancies Act, and providing information to landlords and tenants.

The Director can also determine a matter arising under a rental agreement or the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018. The Director may also assign duties, including mediation and adjudication of disputes, to others considered to be appropriate.

investigations

The Director and Board can, at a reasonable time, enter a residential premises to carry out investigations or inspections under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018.

Application to Director

Within two years of the end of a rental agreement, a landlord or tenant can apply to the Director to determine if the rental agreement or Residential Tenancies Act breached.

A form and fee prescribed by the Minister must be submitted to the Director with applications. When an application is made, it must be served on the other parties with a copy of the application either personally, by registered mail, or by courier service or express post.

However, the Director can refuse or dismiss an application at any time if the matter is found to be trivial, frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith. An order stating this refusal or dismissal may then be issued.

Applicants may withdraw an application before an order is issued.

If an application is not dismissed, there are two possible outcomes:

1. The parties are scheduled to attend mediation to attempt to settle the matter. If the matter is settled, the parties must sign a binding agreement which must be followed. This cannot be appealed.
2. If no agreement is made, the parties may give evidence at a hearing before the adjudicator. Both a landlord and tenant have the right to represent themselves or be represented by a lawyer at any stage of the proceedings.