Relocating is expensive—doubly so when a dispute forces your hand. In Ontario, you can recover moving costs if they’re a reasonably foreseeable result of the other side’s breach or negligence, and you prove the amounts with documents.

When Moving Costs Are Legally Recoverable

You may claim moving expenses when they flow directly from:

• Landlord–tenant issues: illegal eviction, serious disrepair, harassment—if the conduct forces a move. (At the LTB, these can be awarded as reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.) 
• Breach of service contracts: movers/contractors whose conduct triggers extra relocation costs.
• Negligence/property damage: unsafe conditions or loss making the home uninhabitable.

Courts/tribunals look at foreseeability (would a reasonable person expect moving costs from this breach?) and causation (did the breach actually cause the move?). 

Evidence You’ll Need

• Invoices/receipts from movers or truck rentals
• Storage fees documents
• Emails/texts/letters showing why the move was necessary
• Photos/inspection reports if condition or damage is the reason
  Stronger paper trail = stronger claim. (The LTB expressly expects bills/receipts for “reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.”) 

Limits, Reasonableness & Mitigation

You can’t claim luxury or avoidable costs. You must mitigate—choose sensible options and keep costs proportionate, or your award may be reduced.

Which Forum?

• During or shortly after a tenancy:
  File at the LTB. The Board can order a landlord to pay moving expenses and other reasonable out-of-pocket costs where its findings show the tenant had to move because of the landlord’s conduct (e.g., T2/T6/T5 applications; LTB guidance confirms moving-expense awards). 
• Outside LTB’s scope (e.g., non-tenancy disputes, or claims that don’t fit an RTA remedy):
  Use Small Claims Court—money claims to $35,000 now, rising to $50,000 on Oct 1, 2025. 

Bottom line

Yes—moving costs are recoverable if they’re reasonable, proven, and legally tied to the other party’s breach/negligence. Pick the right forum (LTB first for tenancy-driven claims), document everything, and show you mitigated your losses.

Those considering recovery of moving costs should contact Tim at MTS Paralegal Services through call Tim at MTS Paralegal Services today at (226) 444-4882