Plain-language answer
Generally, no. In Ontario, a landlord may not lock a tenant out of their rental unit, and may not change the locks during a tenancy without giving the tenant replacement keys. This is true even if rent is owing, even if a termination notice has been served, and even if an eviction hearing is scheduled.
The only body that can lawfully remove a tenant from a unit is the Court Enforcement Office (the sheriff), acting on an eviction order made by the Landlord and Tenant Board. A landlord acting alone — or with a locksmith, a security company, or friends — is not part of that lawful process.
If you have been locked out, this is generally treated as an urgent situation. Document what happened, avoid forcing your way in, and get help fast: the LTB has processes for urgent tenant applications about lockouts, and community legal clinics prioritize these situations. Ontario also has a Rental Housing Enforcement Unit that deals with certain offences under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Why it matters
A lockout can cost you your housing, belongings, medication, and documents all at once. Knowing the rule — landlord lockouts are generally not lawful — helps you act instead of assuming nothing can be done.
Speed matters. The sooner you document and seek help, the more options are typically available.
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 an LTB eviction order exists and whether the Court Enforcement Office carried out the eviction — or whether the landlord acted alone.
- Whether the locks were changed with no replacement key given to you.
- Whether your belongings are still inside the unit.
- Whether the landlord claims you abandoned the unit — abandonment has specific meaning, and disputes about it should get legal review.
- When exactly the lockout happened, because urgent remedies work best fast.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve these now, in their original form
- Photos and video of the changed lock, the door, and any notices posted.
- The exact date and time you discovered the lockout, written down immediately.
- Messages or statements from the landlord about the lockout — record who said what, when.
- Names and contact information of witnesses, including neighbours.
- Proof you live there: lease, ID with the address, bills, and rent records.
Common mistakes
- Breaking back in — forced entry can create legal problems for you even when the lockout itself was wrong.
- Waiting days to act, when urgent processes work best immediately.
- Leaving without documenting the scene.
- Assuming the police will resolve it — police responses to lockouts vary, and the LTB process is the primary route. You can still report and request an occurrence number.
- Not calling a legal clinic the same day.
Possible official process
A tenant who has been locked out can generally file an urgent application with the LTB (commonly a T2 application about tenant rights), and the Board has processes for expediting urgent matters.
Ontario's Rental Housing Enforcement Unit handles complaints about certain offences under the Residential Tenancies Act, which can include unlawful lockouts.
For immediate safety needs — medication, children's items, or an unsafe situation — treat it as an emergency and use RTO Pro's Emergency Help page for organized first steps.
Professional review recommended
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.