Plain-language answer
Save messages in a form that shows four things: who sent it, who received it, when, and the full context around it. A cropped screenshot of one sentence is weak; a series of screenshots showing the whole conversation, the contact's name and number, and the dates is much stronger.
For text messages, screenshot entire conversations from the top, including the contact header, and scroll so screenshots overlap slightly — that overlap shows nothing was skipped. For email, keep the original messages in your account and export copies (with full headers if you can). For apps like WhatsApp, use the built-in export features where available.
Never delete the originals after screenshotting. The original message on the original device is generally the best evidence; copies support it. And never edit, annotate over, or "clean up" the images themselves — keep markups on separate copies.
Why it matters
Housing disputes often turn on what was said and when — repair promises, entry notices, payment discussions, pressure to leave. Messages are frequently the only contemporaneous record.
Messages also disappear: phones break, accounts close, apps auto-delete. Preserving early, before a dispute escalates, is what makes the record exist at all.
Facts that affect the answer
Based on the information available, these are the kinds of facts that commonly change how a situation like this is assessed:
- Whether the saved messages show sender, recipient, and date — not just words on a screen.
- Whether the full conversation is preserved or only selected fragments.
- Whether the originals still exist on the original device or account.
- Whether the other party's identity is clear — a contact saved as "Landlord" is weaker than one showing the actual number or email.
- Whether voicemails, photos, or attachments within conversations were saved too.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve these now, in their original form
- Full-conversation screenshots with contact details and dates visible, with slight overlaps between images.
- Original emails kept in the account, plus exported copies.
- Voicemails saved as audio files with a note of the date received.
- Chat app exports where the app supports them.
- A simple index — a dated list of what each saved conversation is about.
Common mistakes
- Cropping screenshots so tightly that dates and names are cut off.
- Deleting the original conversation once screenshots exist.
- Saving only your landlord's worst messages and none of your own replies — one-sided records look selective.
- Letting an old phone or account with key messages be wiped or closed.
- Writing notes on top of the screenshots themselves instead of keeping clean originals.
Possible official process
If a dispute reaches the Landlord and Tenant Board, evidence generally must be submitted in advance under the Board's rules and deadlines — check current LTB instructions for how and when to file.
Printouts of messages are commonly used at hearings; the Board or the other side may ask to see originals, which is why keeping them matters.
A legal clinic or representative can help you select which messages to submit — more is not always better.
Tools that help with this
Jurisdiction: Ontario · Last reviewed 2026-07-15 · currently under review. Rules, forms, and deadlines can change — always confirm against the official sources above.
This is legal information, not legal advice. RTO Pro is not a law firm. Deadlines and exceptions may apply to your situation — a qualified legal professional should confirm anything important before you rely on it.