Can My Landlord Increase My Rent Whenever They Want in Ontario?

OHI | Can My Landlord? · Ontario rental question

Browse the full “Can My Landlord?” series

Last verified: September 12, 2026

The 12-month rule

A rent increase generally cannot take effect until at least 12 months after the tenant first moved in or 12 months after the last lawful increase. A new calendar year does not reset that clock.

The 90-day notice rule

The landlord generally must give at least 90 days’ written notice using the proper form, commonly an N1 for a guideline increase or an N2 for certain units exempt from the guideline. A text saying “rent goes up next month” is not a substitute for the required process.

Does the rent guideline apply to every unit?

No. Some rental units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the annual guideline cap. But that exemption does not normally erase the 12-month waiting period or 90-day notice requirement.

Can rent go above the guideline?

In some circumstances a landlord may apply to the LTB for an above-guideline increase, such as eligible capital expenditures or extraordinary increases in certain costs. A landlord and tenant may also use an N10 agreement for specified new or additional services or capital work, subject to detailed rules.

What should a tenant check?

• The date the increase is supposed to begin
• The date of the last lawful increase or move-in
• The form used and when it was served
• Whether the unit is guideline-covered or exempt
• Whether an above-guideline application or N10 agreement is involved

What should a landlord do?

Confirm the unit’s rent-control status, calculate the earliest lawful effective date, use the current form and keep proof of service. Do not assume a post-2018 exemption permits an immediate or informal increase.

OHI guides

• Ontario Rent Increases and Rent Control: 2026 Guide
• Ontario Rent Increase Forms: N1, N2, N3 and N10
• Above-Guideline Rent Increases in Ontario
• Ontario LTB Notice & Form Finder

Frequently asked questions

Can rent increase when a lease becomes month-to-month?

The end of a fixed term does not itself authorize an increase. The ordinary timing, notice and form rules still apply.

Can the landlord raise rent because costs increased?

Higher costs do not automatically permit any increase the landlord chooses. The guideline, exemptions and above-guideline process determine what may be lawful.

Official Ontario sources

• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
• LTB guide to the Residential Tenancies Act
• Current LTB forms and instructions

General information only: This article concerns Ontario residential tenancies and is not legal advice. Some rentals are exempt from all or part of the RTA. Verify current rules and forms with Tribunals Ontario or obtain advice from a licensed Ontario legal professional.