Ontario rent increase calculator
The guideline is 2.1% for increases taking effect in 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. Enter your current rent and the date of your last increase for the maximum lawful increase, the earliest effective date and your 90-day N1 notice deadline.
TenantBay calculatorWhat can you actually raise the rent to?
Three rules decide every Ontario rent increase: the guideline for the year the increase takes effect, 90 days of written notice on Form N1, and 12 months since the last increase. Miss any one of them and the increase is void.
Your tenancy
What the law allows
Put in the rent and the date of the last increase. You will get the maximum lawful rent, the earliest date it can take effect, and the day the notice has to be out the door.
General information about the Residential Tenancies Act, not legal advice. Confirm the guideline and the current N1 form with the Landlord and Tenant Board before you serve anything.
Three rules every Ontario rent increase must meet
1. The guideline cap
For most units first occupied on or before November 15, 2018, the increase cannot exceed the annual guideline: 1.9% for increases taking effect in 2027, 2.1% in 2026, and 2.5% from 2023 to 2025. Newer units are exempt from the cap.
2. Ninety days of written notice
You must serve the official LTB Form N1 at least 90 days before the increase takes effect. Serving by mail adds 5 days of deemed service; a courier is deemed served the next business day.
3. Once every 12 months
At least 12 months must have passed since the tenant's last rent increase, or since the tenancy began. Increases that break any of these rules are void.
Rent increase FAQ
What is the Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026 and 2027?
The guideline is 2.1% for increases that take effect in 2026 and 1.9% for increases that take effect in 2027. What matters is the year the new rent starts, not the year you serve the notice. The province sets the figure each year from the Ontario Consumer Price Index, and it applies to most residential units first occupied on or before November 15, 2018.
How much notice do I need to give for a rent increase in Ontario?
At least 90 days' written notice using the official LTB Form N1, and rent can only be increased once every 12 months. If you serve the notice by mail, add 5 days for deemed service.
Which units are exempt from the Ontario rent increase guideline?
Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are generally exempt from the guideline cap, so there is no percentage limit. The 90-day N1 notice and the 12-month rule still apply.
Can I raise rent more than the guideline?
Only with an Above Guideline Increase approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board, typically for major capital work, or increased security services or property taxes. Otherwise the guideline is the ceiling for capped units.
What happens if I raise rent without proper notice?
An increase given without a valid N1, with less than 90 days' notice, or within 12 months of the last increase is void. The tenant does not have to pay it, and collecting it can expose the landlord to an LTB claim.
This calculator and page provide general information about Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, not legal advice. Verify current rules at tribunalsontario.ca/ltb.