Heading into a Court or Tribunal hearing? This guide walks you through how to put together a clear, organized evidence package that actually helps your case.

Built for landlords and tenants alike, it takes the guesswork out of what to prepare — so you show up ready, not scrambling. Because when it comes to hearings, how you present your evidence matters just as much as the evidence itself.

‍The purpose of this document is to provide individuals who are doing tenant screening a VERY thorough list of best practices that are out in the industry.

Many techniques can be used in different regions across Canada / USA, but we write the list most specifically to Ontario, Canada. Treat this as a quick reference to ensure you are doing your due diligence as best you can.

The purpose of this document is to prepare individuals who have an Eviction Day coming up. Getting to eviction day is one of the most stressful periods of owning a rental business. We built this to give you a sense of control back. Justice will prevail and you will win.

I (Weiting, Co-Founder & CEO of Openroom.ca) had gone through a terrible tenancy experience where it led to an eviction and $35,000 in rent arrears. To me, one can never be over-prepared to get your house back.

The purpose of this document is to help you systematically inspect the unit, document any existing damage, and confirm the condition of key areas such as walls, floors, appliances, and fixtures. 

By completing this checklist during move-in and again at move-out, both parties create a shared record that can prevent misunderstandings and reduce disputes over damages, cleanliness, or maintenance responsibilities. 

Taking a few minutes to document the condition of the property—ideally with photos and signatures—can save significant time, money, and stress later. 

The following addendum explain exactly what information can be collected and who it can be shared with. The first applies when you're submitting a rental application, while the second covers the entire period of your tenancy and afterwards.

Having these allow you to take part in credit reporting into credit bureaus such as Equifax through Openroom’s Rent Rewards Program.

The purpose of this document is to help you systematically inspect the rental unit for any signs of pest activity and identify areas that may attract or allow pests to enter the property. 

By completing this checklist, both the tenant and housing provider can document any visible signs of pests, potential entry points, or conditions that may contribute to pest problems. Creating a shared record helps ensure issues are identified early and addressed quickly. 

Taking a few minutes to carefully review the property—ideally documenting observations with notes or photos—can help prevent infestations from worsening and provide a clear record of the unit’s condition at the time of inspection.

The purpose of this document is to provide landlords/housing providers with a Guarantor’s Agreement template you can use or revise when a tenant needs a Guarantor for their lease. In certain cases, a Guarantor is only held liable if parties have signed the right clauses within a document. 

Did you know:
‍A Guarantor (in certain states/provinces) are only liable for the first 12 months. And, you can hit the credit history of the Guarantor. But, in order for you to send a Guarantor into the credit bureau, you need their consent in advance.

Yes, this is why you need a document.