how to report the LTB order to equifax

Reporting an LTB Order to Equifax in Ontario

Reporting a Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) order to Equifax is not a direct or automatic process. Equifax and other credit bureaus in Canada generally accept debt reporting from registered members (typically businesses with established reporting accounts), not from individual landlords submitting one-off judgments.

Here is a practical breakdown of your options:

1. Equifax Does Not Accept Direct Landlord Submissions

Equifax Canada does not have a public portal for individual landlords to submit LTB orders or rent arrears directly. Credit reporting in Canada is governed by provincial consumer reporting legislation, and only approved creditor members can report to Equifax or TransUnion.

2. Use a Rent Reporting or Collections Service

Some third-party services specialize in reporting tenant debt to credit bureaus on behalf of landlords. These services typically:

• Accept documentation such as an LTB order or Small Claims Court judgment
• Report the debt to one or both major bureaus (Equifax / TransUnion)
• May also offer collections servicesLandlordEzy offers rent reporting and landlord support services that may assist with this process.

3. Convert the LTB Order to a Small Claims Court Judgment (If Not Already)

If your LTB order includes a monetary component (e.g., rent arrears, damages), you may be able to file it with the Ontario Small Claims Court to obtain an enforceable court judgment. A court judgment can then be used for:

• Wage garnishment
• Bank account garnishment
• Reporting through a collections agencyCollections agencies that are registered Equifax members can report the debt on your behalf once they take on the file.

4. Engage a Collections Agency

A licensed Ontario collections agency can:

• Accept your LTB order or court judgment as supporting documentation
• Pursue the former tenant for payment
• Report the debt to Equifax or TransUnion as part of their collections processCollections agencies in Ontario are regulated under the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act.

Practical Steps

• Obtain a certified copy of your LTB order from the LTB.
• If the order has a monetary component, consider filing it with Small Claims Court to formalize it as a court judgment.
• Contact a licensed Ontario collections agency or a rent reporting service with your documentation.
• Provide the former tenant's full legal name, last known address, and the amount owed.

Important Caution

Attempting to report a tenant to a credit bureau without going through an approved reporting channel is generally not possible and could expose you to complaints under Ontario's Consumer Reporting Act if done improperly. Always use a licensed intermediary.

For more landlord tools and support, visit LandlordEzy.