That rent increase might not be legal.
For 2026, most Ontario landlords can raise rent by no more than 2.1% — and only with 90 days' written notice, once a year. Let's check yours against the rules.
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In 30 seconds, here's what's true
- For 2026, the rent increase guideline is 2.1%. For most tenants, that's the most your rent can go up in a year without special approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
- Your landlord must give you at least 90 days' written notice, on the official Form N1. A text, email, or a note on their own letterhead does not count.
- Your rent can only go up once every 12 months. A landlord can't 'catch up' for years they didn't raise it, and can't raise it again partway through the year.
- Units first lived in after November 15, 2018 are generally exempt from the 2.1% cap — the landlord can raise rent by any amount, but still needs 90 days' notice and the 12-month gap.
- If you paid an increase that turns out to be illegal, you can apply to the LTB (Form T1) to get the overpayment back — usually within one year of paying it.
The steps your landlord must follow
Check the amount
Work out the percentage increase. If your unit is rent-controlled and the increase is more than 2.1% for 2026 — and there's no LTB above-guideline order — it's likely illegal.
Check the notice
Was it the official Form N1, in writing, given at least 90 full days before the increase date? Count the days. A 60-day notice, or notice in the wrong form, doesn't meet the rule.
Check the timing
Has it been at least 12 months since you moved in or since your last increase? If not, the increase can't take effect yet — no matter what the notice says.
Don't just start paying it
You generally don't have to pay an increase that doesn't follow the rules. But talk to a legal clinic first before withholding anything, so you don't accidentally fall into arrears.
Get free advice and act
Call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit at 1-888-772-9277, or your local community legal clinic. If you already overpaid, you can apply to the LTB (Form T1) to recover it — usually within a year.
What to do next
- Find your current rent and the new amount, and calculate the percentage increase.
- Confirm whether your unit was first occupied before or after November 15, 2018.
- Check that the notice is the official Form N1 and in writing.
- Count the days — is it at least 90 full days before the increase date?
- Confirm it's been at least 12 months since you moved in or last had an increase.
- Keep the notice and all rent receipts in one place.
- Call the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (1-888-772-9277) or a legal clinic before paying or withholding.
- Start a free PLAIN session to check the increase and your options.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| My landlord can raise the rent whenever they want. | No. For most units it's once every 12 months, with 90 days' written notice, capped at the year's guideline (2.1% for 2026). |
| A rent increase by text or email is valid. | No. It must be on the official Form N1, in writing. An informal message doesn't meet the legal requirement. |
| If I don't pay the increase, I'll be evicted right away. | An illegal increase isn't a valid debt. But get advice before withholding — a legal clinic can help you respond the right way. |
| My landlord can add last year's missed increase to this year's. | No. Rent goes up once every 12 months. Landlords can't stack or back-date increases they chose not to take. |
| The 2.1% cap applies to every rental in Ontario. | Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are generally exempt from the cap — though the 90-day notice and 12-month rules still apply. |
| Once I've paid an illegal increase, the money's gone. | You can apply to the LTB (Form T1) to get an illegal overpayment back — usually within one year of paying it. |
| Newcomers or tenants without a written lease have fewer rights. | The same RTA rules apply to all tenants regardless of immigration status, and even with only a verbal agreement. |
| An above-guideline increase is automatically illegal. | Not always — a landlord can apply to the LTB for an above-guideline increase (e.g. for major repairs). But it needs an LTB order; they can't just charge it. |
Last reviewed June 2026
Written and reviewed by the founder of PLAIN, checked against primary government and legal sources. How we research these guides
Sources
PLAIN gives legal information, not legal advice. It is not a substitute for a lawyer or paralegal — and we'll point you to free ones. Laws change; we review these pages regularly, but always confirm current rules with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
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