What is the Ontario rent increase guideline for 2027?

The 2027 guideline is 1.9%. It's the maximum most landlords can raise rent on a rent-controlled unit without approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board, and it applies to increases that take effect at any point in 2027.

Why is the 2027 guideline lower than 2026?

The guideline is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index. Cooling inflation brought the 2027 figure down to 1.9%, from 2.1% in 2026. By law the guideline is also capped at 2.5%, even when inflation runs higher.

Does the 1.9% guideline apply to my unit?

Only to rent-controlled units. Units first occupied for residential use on or after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline, so there's no percentage cap on their increase — though the once-every-12-months rule and 90-day written notice still apply.

How much notice does my landlord need to give for a 2027 increase?

At least 90 days' written notice on the correct form (Form N1), and rent can only be increased once every 12 months. An increase that skips proper notice or comes too soon isn't valid.

Can my landlord raise rent more than 1.9% in 2027?

Only if the unit is exempt (first occupied after Nov 15, 2018), you agree to an increase tied to a new service, or the landlord gets an above-guideline increase (AGI) order from the LTB for specific reasons like major capital work. Otherwise 1.9% is the ceiling.

Home BlogOntario Rent Increase 2027

OntarioOctober 3, 20265 min read

Ontario Rent Increase Guideline 2027: 1.9%

Ontario's 2027 rent increase guideline is 1.9%— the lowest since the 2021 rent freeze. Here's what it means for your rent, who's exempt, and how to make sure any increase you get is actually legal.

By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act per our editorial standards·Last reviewed October 2026

What the 1.9% Guideline Means

The guideline is the maximum a landlord can raise rent on a rent-controlled unit in 2027 without applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board. On $2,000/month rent, 1.9% is an increase of $38, to $2,038.

It's set from the Ontario Consumer Price Index and is capped at 2.5% by law. The drop from 2.1% in 2026 to 1.9% in 2027 reflects cooling inflation.

Recent Guideline History

2027: 1.9% (lowest since the freeze)
2026: 2.1%
2023–2025: 2.5% (held at the legal cap)
2021: 0% (legislated freeze)

See the full Ontario guideline history going back to 2020.

Who's Exempt: The Post-2018 Rule

Units first occupied for residential use on or after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline — there's no percentage cap on their increase. The once-every-12-months rule and 90-day notice still apply. Not sure if this is you? Read our guide to the post-2018 rent control exemption.

Notice & Timing Rules

90 days' written notice on Form N1.
Once every 12 months — no stacking increases.
At least 12 months since you moved in or since the last increase.

An increase that skips proper notice or comes too soon isn't valid. Learn how to dispute a rent increase.

Check Your Increase

Run the numbers with our free rent increase calculator, confirm your landlord's math with the guideline checker, and compare the rules across the country on our rent increase by province hub.