Ontario’s Small Claims Court and Landlord and Tenant Board Limits Increasing to $50,000 on October 1, 2025

On October 1, 2025, Ontario will increase the monetary limit for Small Claims Court from $35,000 to $50,000. This change, introduced through Ontario Regulation 42/25 under the Courts of Justice Act, is one of the largest expansions of the court’s jurisdiction in decades.

The same $50,000 cap will also apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board’s authority to order compensation. This means more substantial monetary disputes can be handled directly at the LTB without requiring a separate court action.

Why This Change Matters

Small Claims Court is designed to be faster, less formal, and more cost-effective than the Superior Court of Justice. The higher limit allows more claims to be resolved in this simplified forum, including disputes involving unpaid debts, breach of contract, property damage, and wrongful dismissal.

For landlord and tenant disputes, the increase gives both landlords and tenants the ability to bring higher-value claims for rent arrears, damages, and other monetary remedies within a single LTB application.

Practical Impact

From October 1, 2025, claims valued between $35,001 and $50,000 will qualify for Small Claims Court. This expands access for individuals, small businesses, and organizations that previously would have had to proceed through the more complex Superior Court process.

At the Landlord and Tenant Board, the increased limit will streamline the resolution of larger monetary disputes, removing the need to divide claims or start separate proceedings.

Who Will Benefit

• Small businesses pursuing larger unpaid invoices or contract disputes

• Individuals with higher-value consumer or property damage claims

• Employers and employees involved in wrongful dismissal or wage disputes

• Landlords and tenants with significant rent arrears or damage claims

Moving Forward

The $50,000 limit opens the door for a wider range of disputes to be resolved more quickly and efficiently. If you are considering legal action for a matter within this range, it may now fall within the jurisdiction of Small Claims Court or the Landlord and Tenant Board.

For more information or to discuss how this change may apply to your situation, contact our office.