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LTB Portal 2025: Yes, It Changed Again

Mandatory 2FA. New L5 email options. If you haven't logged in since last summer, you are in for a surprise. Here is your survival guide to the new system.

6 min readPublished: February 2026

MFA Is No Longer Optional

Let's rip the band-aid off: You can no longer just type a password and get in. As of October 2025, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is mandatory for every single LTB user.

If you share your login with a paralegal or your spouse, this is going to be a headache unless you set it up right.

The Best Setup for Landlords

The portal gives you three choices: SMS, Email, or Authenticator App.

Our Recommendation: Use an Authenticator App (Google Auth or Microsoft Auth).

  • Why? Text messages (SMS) are often delayed on the LTB system during peak hours. You'll be sitting there for 10 minutes waiting for a code that expires in 5.
  • Team access: You can scan the Authenticator QR code on multiple devices (yours and your property manager's) so you can both log in without calling each other for a code.

Backup Codes Are Vital

When you set up MFA, the system gives you 10 "Backup Codes". PRINT THESE OUT. Or save them in a password manager. If you lose your phone, these are the ONLY way to get back in without spending 3 hours on hold with technical support.

The L5 "Escape Hatch" (Email Filing)

Finally, some good news. The LTB has realized that filing complex Capital Expenditure (AGI) applications on a web portal is a nightmare.

As of November 1, 2025, you can file L5 (Above Guideline Increase) applications via email.

Why You Should Email Instead of Click

The L5 form requires massive attachments—invoices, engineering reports, spreadsheets. The portal often times out when uploading large files.

The Email Workflow:

  • Compiling your evidence offline.
  • Sending one organized PDF bundle.
  • Getting an automated timestamp receipt.

This lowers the risk of a "upload failed" error wiping out 2 hours of data entry. If you are doing an AGI, use the email option.

Does email filing work for L1s?

No. This is just for L5s right now. For L1 (Rent Arrears) and L2 (Eviction) applications, you are still stuck with the portal.

Troubleshooting: "I'm Locked Out and Have a Hearing Tomorrow"

It happens. Here is your emergency checklist:

1. MFA Code Isn't Arriving

Check your spam folder if you used email. If you used SMS, restart your phone (seriously). If it still fails, use one of your Backup Codes.

2. "Session Expired" Loop

The 2025 update made the cookies very aggressive. If you get stuck in a login loop:

  • Open an Incognito/Private window.
  • Log in there.
  • It works 99% of the time because it bypasses the stuck cache.

3. Document Upload Failures

The file limit was increased, but it's still finicky.

  • Flatten your PDFs (Print to PDF) before uploading.
  • Remove special characters from filenames (no #, /, or &).
  • Keep filenames under 50 characters. "Evidence.pdf" is better than "2025-01-01_Unit_101_Rent_Receipts_Final_Version_3.pdf".

Frequently Asked Questions

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra security layer to your LTB portal login. In addition to your password, you must verify your identity using a second method—typically a code sent to your phone or email. This became mandatory for all LTB portal users on October 24, 2025.
MFA became mandatory on October 24, 2025. All users accessing the Tribunals Ontario portal for LTB filings must now use multi-factor authentication. Accounts without MFA enabled cannot log in.
Log in to the Tribunals Ontario portal, go to your account settings, and select "Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication." You will be prompted to choose a verification method (text message, email, or authenticator app) and verify your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.
As of November 1, 2025, landlords can file L5 Above Guideline Increase applications via email instead of only through the online portal. This provides an alternative for those who prefer email filing or have technical difficulties with the portal.
No. Only the L5 application (Above Guideline Increase) can be filed by email. Other applications like L1 (arrears), L2 (termination), and others must still be filed through the online portal or by mail.
If you lose access to your phone or MFA device, contact Tribunals Ontario support to reset your MFA settings. You will need to verify your identity through alternative means. Keep backup codes provided during MFA setup in a safe place.
Yes. MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your LTB account. Even if someone obtains your password, they cannot log in without access to your second verification method. This protects your case information and prevents fraudulent filings.
It depends on your device settings. You can often select "Trust this device" to reduce how frequently you need to verify. However, for security, the portal may still prompt for MFA periodically or when accessing from new devices or networks.

Related Resources

L5 Guide

Deep dive on AGI applications

Evidence Guide

How to prep files so the portal accepts them

We Can't Fix the Portal, But We Can Help You File

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