You Do Not Have to Evict to Get Paid
Not every arrears situation calls for ending the tenancy. Sometimes the tenant is otherwise good, the unit would be hard to re-rent, or the landlord simply wants an enforceable judgment for the money owing. The L9 application exists for exactly this: a Board order requiring a current tenant to pay arrears, with the tenancy left intact.
An L9 order is a real judgment. It can be filed with the Small Claims Court and enforced through garnishment or other collection steps if the tenant does not pay voluntarily.
We prepare L9 applications with the rent ledgers and lawful-rent analysis the Board requires, and we advise on when an L9, an L1, or a combined approach best serves the landlord’s goals.
What Is an L9 Application?
Key features of the L9:
- Available against a current tenant who owes rent arrears
- Seeks a payment order only - no termination, no eviction
- No N4 notice is required before filing
- Subject to the Board’s monetary jurisdiction (aligned with the Small Claims Court limit of $35,000)
- The resulting order is enforceable through the courts like any judgment
Common Scenarios We See
Landlords often contact us where:
- A tenant accumulated arrears during a hard stretch but the landlord wants to preserve the tenancy
- Arrears are growing and the landlord wants a judgment now while deciding on next steps
- A guarantor or payment arrangement makes recovery realistic without eviction
- An L1 was considered but eviction is not commercially sensible for this unit
How We Assist
We assist landlords with:
- Advising whether an L9, L1, or sequenced strategy fits your goals
- Preparing the arrears ledger and lawful rent calculations
- Filing and advancing the application to an order
- Negotiating payment terms where a consent order makes sense
- Enforcing the order through garnishment and other collection remedies if unpaid
Why Strategy Matters Before You File
Filing the wrong application costs months. An L9 preserves the tenancy but forgoes the leverage of eviction; an L1 provides that leverage but ends with a different remedy. The right choice depends on the tenant, the unit, and the arrears - and it should be made deliberately, not by default.
Book a Consultation
If a current tenant owes you rent and eviction is not the answer, an L9 may be. Contact us to review your ledger and your options.