If you rent in Ontario, your landlord cannot raise the rent whenever they like, or by any amount. Here are the Ontario rent increase rules in plain language. Checked October 3, 2026 on ontario.ca.
How much: the guideline
- The rent increase guideline is 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027.
- Example: on a rent of $2,000, the 2026 guideline allows up to $42 more a month, so $2,042.
- To go above the guideline, a landlord has to apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and get approval.
How often, and with what notice
- Rent can go up only if at least 12 months have passed since the last increase, or since the tenancy began.
- The landlord must give written notice at least 90 days before the increase takes effect.
- The notice has to be on the proper LTB form (Form N1, N2 or N3).
Homes the guideline does not cover
- New buildings, additions to existing buildings and most new basement apartments first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 (the date anyone first lived in the unit, not the date you moved in).
- A unit that changes tenants: the landlord and the new tenant agree on the rent.
If the increase looks wrong
If the notice was not given properly, or the increase is above what the rules allow, you can dispute it at the Landlord and Tenant Board within 12 months after the new amount was first charged. LTB: 1-888-332-3234, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Work out your own number: the rent increase calculator. Related: rent deposits and ending a tenancy.
Sources (official pages, checked October 3, 2026)
- Ontario – Residential rent increases (2026 guideline 2.1%)
- Ontario – Renting in Ontario: your rights (2027 guideline 1.9%)
- Landlord and Tenant Board – A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act (brochure, December 2020)
Programs and limits change, often at budget time. Confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
Talk to me in English or Arabic: call or text (647) 465-3710, message me on WhatsApp, or email Mohieddinrealtor@gmail.com.
General information only – not financial, legal or mortgage advice. Please consult a licensed professional about your own situation.