CRESI.ca

LTB, Disputes & Enforcement

When Should Ontario Landlords Call the Police? A Practical Guide

By CRESI Property Management · Published July 12, 2026 · Updated July 12, 2026 · 3 min read

When Should Ontario Landlords Call the Police? A Practical Guide

Call police for safety threats — violence, criminal activity, domestic disturbances — and always request a report. For rent, damage, or standard evictions, use the LTB instead; police will redirect you there.

Call police only for genuine safety threats — violence, criminal activity, threats, or domestic disturbances — and always request a report for your file. For rent arrears, standard evictions, property damage, or abandoned belongings, the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the correct channel; police will simply redirect you there.

When to call police for Ontario landlord issues: the basics

Most landlord-tenant problems are not police matters — officers aren’t there to enforce the Residential Tenancies Act, and calling them for a rent or eviction dispute usually goes nowhere.

Here’s a surprising fact many property owners don’t realize: police officers aren’t there to handle most landlord-tenant problems. As legal expert Rob Di Lisi explains, “The police get annoyed because this is what they call BS calls… because this is not in their jurisdiction.” When you call police for standard tenant matters, they’ll likely tell you to contact the Landlord and Tenant Board instead.

But don’t worry — there ARE times when calling the police makes perfect sense.

When police should be part of your Ontario landlord strategy

Call police when there’s an actual safety concern — not a rent, damage, or lease dispute.

When should you pick up the phone? It comes down to safety concerns:

  • Loud parties disturbing neighbors
  • Fighting between tenants
  • Threats to your safety
  • Criminal activity on your property
  • Domestic disturbances

Here’s a golden tip: if police do respond to your property, always request a police report. This documentation can be crucial evidence if you need to file for eviction through the Landlord and Tenant Board.

When not to call police for Ontario landlord problems

If the issue is money, property condition, or a routine dispute — not a threat to safety — it belongs at the LTB, not with police.

Many landlords waste time (and annoy police officers) by calling about issues that police can’t help with:

  • Tenants who abandon belongings
  • Standard eviction situations
  • Rent payment problems
  • Minor property damage
  • Tenant disagreements that aren’t violent

These situations require going through proper Landlord and Tenant Board channels.

One special case where police are needed

If a roommate shares a kitchen or bathroom directly with the landlord, the RTA usually doesn’t apply — which can make police the only real recourse.

Did you know there’s one unique living situation where police ARE the right people to call? It’s a little-known fact about roommates who share kitchen or bathroom facilities with the landlord. In these cases, the Residential Tenancies Act doesn’t apply, and police involvement might be your only option.

But you’ll need proper documentation and might need to speak with a desk sergeant who understands these unique circumstances.

Protecting yourself as an Ontario landlord

If you feel unsafe visiting your own property, skip 911 and request a peace officer escort from your local division instead.

Feeling unsafe when visiting your property? Instead of calling 911, contact your local police division and request a peace officer to accompany you. Remember — documentation is your best friend in any landlord-tenant dispute. Without proper paperwork, your case becomes much harder to prove.

This guidance draws on the CRESI Ontario Landlord Series podcast episode featuring Rob Di Lisi, a legal expert who specializes in landlord-tenant matters.

Frequently asked questions

Will the police handle a non-payment of rent problem for me?
No. Rent arrears are a civil matter under the Residential Tenancies Act, not a police matter. Officers will redirect you to the Landlord and Tenant Board — calling 911 or a non-emergency line for a rent dispute wastes time and won't produce any enforcement action.
What should a landlord do if police respond to an incident at their rental?
Always request a police report or incident number before the officers leave. That documentation is strong evidence if you later need to file an LTB application (for example, an N6 for illegal act or an N7 for a serious safety issue) related to the same incident.
Can police remove a tenant from a unit?
No — only the Landlord and Tenant Board can order an eviction, and only the Sheriff can physically enforce that order. Police do not have authority to remove a tenant for a landlord-tenant dispute; their role is limited to responding to actual criminal conduct, like violence or threats.
What if my tenant abandons their belongings?
Abandoned property is not a police matter. It's handled through the Residential Tenancies Act's abandonment provisions and, where needed, an LTB application — not a criminal complaint.
Is there a situation where police are the ONLY option for a landlord?
Yes: when a roommate shares a kitchen or bathroom directly with the landlord in the same unit. In that specific living arrangement, the Residential Tenancies Act typically doesn't apply, so the LTB has no jurisdiction — police (via a desk sergeant familiar with the exemption) may be the only avenue, provided you bring documentation of the living arrangement.
What should I do if I feel unsafe visiting my own rental property?
Don't call 911 for a non-emergency safety concern. Instead, contact your local police division directly and request a peace officer to accompany you during the visit — this is a recognized, lower-friction option many Ontario landlords don't know exists.