Saskatchewan tenancy hearing: evidence and service

Prepare and serve the case

The ORT describes accepted service methods that differ depending on whether the respondent is a current tenant, former tenant or landlord. Provide proof of service; serve separate persons as required.

The province distinguishes service on current tenants, former tenants and landlords; electronic service alone is not listed as an option for serving a current tenant. The ORT lists personal service or specified combined posting methods for current tenants, personal or electronic service for former tenants, and personal, electronic or ordinary mail for landlords. When serving personally or electronically, serve each person individually and complete a Certificate of Service for each. Upload the actual served notice in the portal’s Hearings → Hearing Notices area as instructed.

Upload documents

The ORT says evidence should be uploaded and served on the other party. Bring the lease, notices, rent ledger, service proof, photos, repair requests and messages as relevant. The hearing notice controls issues considered.

Upload relevant evidence to the ORT portal and provide it to the other party through an allowed service method. A portal upload alone does not establish service on the other party. Include clear, unaltered copies organized by issue, and check any hearing-specific deadlines. The hearing officer decides the claims listed on the served hearing notice, so avoid relying on unrelated evidence or introducing an unnotified claim at the hearing.

At the hearing

ORT hearings are held by telephone. The hearing notice directs each party to provide a reachable phone number before the hearing; the hearing officer calls the parties at the scheduled time. Keep the line clear and check that calls from toll-free numbers are not blocked. Have your rent ledger, lease, notices, service certificate and evidence index open so you can refer to exact dates and documents.

From application to decision

1. Complete the ORT application in the online portal, upload supporting documents and watch for staff review.
2. When the portal status changes to Payment Required, pay the stated $50 non-refundable application fee and wait for hearing instructions.
3. Serve the correct hearing notice and evidence, complete the applicable Certificates of Service, and upload the served hearing notice.
4. Attend the telephone hearing and keep your ORT contact details up to date for the written Order.

A request to correct or clarify an ORT decision generally must be made within 15 days of the decision date and carries a $50 review fee. A court appeal is a different process, with a 30-day period for an appeal to the Court of King’s Bench. A rent-arrears appeal may also require a Certificate of Payment of Rent, so do not treat these timelines as interchangeable.

What to do next

Keep your rental agreement, notices, proof of when you received them, payment records and messages. Open the ORT forms directory or check the current provincial ORT guidance.