Ontario · Landlord guide

How to Raise Rent in Ontario (2026)

Raising rent in Ontario is straightforward once you know three things: the annual guideline, how much notice to give, and which form to use. This guide walks through the 2026 rules step by step, so your increase is legal and holds up if it is ever challenged.

2026 guideline

2.1%

The most you can raise rent on a rent-controlled unit in 12 months, with 90 days notice on Form N1.

Calculate your exact increase

Does the guideline apply to your unit?

Most units are rent-controlled and capped at the 2.1% guideline. The main exception: units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt, so there is no percentage cap. Exempt or not, you must still give 90 days notice and wait 12 months between increases.

Step by step

1
Confirm the timing
You can raise rent only once every 12 months, and not during a tenant's first 12 months. Count 12 months from the tenancy start or the last increase.
2
Check if the unit is rent-controlled
Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline. Rent-controlled units are capped at the annual guideline.
3
Calculate the increase
For a rent-controlled unit, multiply the current rent by the 2.1% guideline. Use the free calculator for the exact figure and the new rent.
4
Complete Form N1
Use the official Landlord and Tenant Board Form N1 (Notice of Rent Increase). The notice must state the new rent and the effective date.
5
Serve at least 90 days written notice
The tenant must receive the notice at least 90 days before the effective date. Keep the effective date at least 12 months after the last increase.
6
Keep a record
Save a copy of the notice and how it was delivered. Good records protect you if the increase is ever disputed at the LTB.

Worked example

A rent-controlled unit at $2,000/mo: $2,000 × 2.1% = $42, so the maximum new rent is $2,042/mo. Serve Form N1 at least 90 days before the effective date.

Above-guideline increases

A landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an increase above the guideline (an AGI) for eligible capital expenditures, added security services, or an extraordinary increase in municipal taxes. The LTB must approve it before you can charge more than 2.1% on a rent-controlled unit.

Common mistakes to avoid

Raising rent more than once in a 12-month period.
Giving less than 90 days written notice.
Using the wrong form, or giving verbal notice only.
Charging more than 2.1% on a rent-controlled unit without an LTB-approved above-guideline increase.
Assuming an exempt unit has no rules — you still need 90 days notice and the 12-month spacing.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord raise rent in Ontario in 2026?

Ontario's 2026 rent increase guideline is 2.1%. For a rent-controlled unit, that is the most you can raise rent in 12 months without applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board.

How much notice is required to raise rent in Ontario?

At least 90 days' written notice before the effective date, using the official Form N1.

How often can rent be increased?

Once every 12 months, and never during a tenant's first 12 months in the unit.

What if my unit is exempt from rent control?

Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline, so there is no percentage cap. You must still give 90 days' notice and wait 12 months between increases.

Can I raise rent by more than 2.1%?

Only for exempt units, or with an above-guideline increase (AGI) approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board for eligible capital work, security costs, or extraordinary municipal tax increases.

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Guidance for Ontario landlords, not legal advice. Confirm the current figure and rules with the Government of Ontario or the Landlord and Tenant Board before serving a notice. Guideline verified 2026-09-25.