What is the Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026?

The Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026 is 2.1%. This is the maximum a landlord can raise rent for most existing tenants without applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an above-guideline increase. The guideline is published each fall by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and takes effect January 1 of the following year. It is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index.

Is my apartment exempt from rent control in Ontario?

Your unit may be exempt if it was first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018. This is known as the 'new unit exemption.' If exempt, your landlord can raise rent by any amount with proper notice. To verify your status, check your lease for the date the unit was first occupied, or contact the Ontario LTB. Units in non-profit housing or care homes may also be treated differently.

Can my landlord raise rent above the guideline?

In Ontario, a landlord can apply to the LTB for an above-guideline increase (AGI) if they have experienced extraordinary increases in property taxes, municipal utility costs, or have made significant capital expenditures (major repairs or improvements). The landlord must serve you with a copy of the AGI application, and you have the right to contest it at a hearing. Even if an AGI is granted, the increase is phased in over three years.

How do I dispute a rent increase in BC?

In British Columbia, if your landlord gives you a rent increase that exceeds the annual allowable increase set by the provincial government (2.3% for 2026, down from 3% in 2025), you can dispute it with the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). File a dispute resolution application online at gov.bc.ca/tenants. The landlord must give you at least 3 full rental months notice in writing before the increase takes effect, and it can only happen once every 12 months. Keep all written notices as evidence.

Which Canadian provinces have no rent control?

Alberta and Saskatchewan have no rent control — landlords can raise rent by any amount as long as they give proper written notice and only increase once every 12 months. Newfoundland and Labrador also has no rent control. British Columbia, Ontario (for pre-November 2018 units), Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI all have some form of rent increase limit. Note that even in provinces without rent control, procedural rules (notice periods, frequency) still apply.

What is the Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026?

The Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026 is 2.1%. This is the maximum a landlord can raise rent for most existing tenants without applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an above-guideline increase. The guideline is published each fall by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and takes effect January 1 of the following year. It is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index.

Is my apartment exempt from rent control in Ontario?

Your unit may be exempt if it was first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018. This is known as the 'new unit exemption.' If exempt, your landlord can raise rent by any amount with proper notice. To verify your status, check your lease for the date the unit was first occupied, or contact the Ontario LTB. Units in non-profit housing or care homes may also be treated differently.

Can my landlord raise rent above the guideline?

In Ontario, a landlord can apply to the LTB for an above-guideline increase (AGI) if they have experienced extraordinary increases in property taxes, municipal utility costs, or have made significant capital expenditures (major repairs or improvements). The landlord must serve you with a copy of the AGI application, and you have the right to contest it at a hearing. Even if an AGI is granted, the increase is phased in over three years.

How do I dispute a rent increase in BC?

In British Columbia, if your landlord gives you a rent increase that exceeds the annual allowable increase set by the provincial government (2.3% for 2026, down from 3% in 2025), you can dispute it with the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). File a dispute resolution application online at gov.bc.ca/tenants. The landlord must give you at least 3 full rental months notice in writing before the increase takes effect, and it can only happen once every 12 months. Keep all written notices as evidence.

Which Canadian provinces have no rent control?

Alberta and Saskatchewan have no rent control — landlords can raise rent by any amount as long as they give proper written notice and only increase once every 12 months. Newfoundland and Labrador also has no rent control. British Columbia, Ontario (for pre-November 2018 units), Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI all have some form of rent increase limit. Note that even in provinces without rent control, procedural rules (notice periods, frequency) still apply.

Tenant RightsRent Increase Rules

Tenant Rights Guide

Rent Increase Rules: Canada & Key US Jurisdictions

Your landlord cannot raise your rent whenever they want or by any amount they choose. Across Canada and many US states, strict rules govern how often, how much, and how a rent increase must be communicated — with significant variation by jurisdiction.

Ontario

Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 · Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)

Core Rules

Rent can only be increased once every 12 months for the same tenant.
The landlord must give at least 90 days written notice using Form N1 (within-guideline) or Form N2 (above-guideline application).
The increase must not exceed the annual Rent Increase Guideline unless a legal exemption applies.
Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 have no rent control — the guideline does not apply.
Non-profit housing and some care homes may also be exempt from the guideline.
An above-guideline increase (AGI) requires a formal LTB application and is only granted for specific, approved reasons.
If the landlord fails to use the correct form or give adequate notice, the increase is void and unenforceable.

Annual Rent Increase Guidelines

Each fall, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing publishes the guideline for the following calendar year. The guideline is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index and represents the maximum allowable increase for rent-controlled units.

Ontario Annual Rent Increase Guidelines by Year
Year	Guideline Rate	Note
2026	2.1%
2025	2.5%
2024	2.5%
2023	2.5%
2022	1.2%	COVID recovery period
2021	0% (COVID-19 freeze)	Government freeze
2020	0% (COVID-19 freeze)	Government freeze

Source: Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Always verify at ontario.ca for the most current figure.

New Unit Exemption

No rent control on post-2018 units

Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are not subject to the rent increase guideline. Your landlord may raise rent by any amount with proper notice. This applies regardless of when you signed your lease — it is based on when the unit was first occupied as a residence.

Above-Guideline Increases (AGIs)

A landlord who wants to raise rent beyond the guideline must apply to the LTB. The LTB only grants AGIs for specific reasons:

Extraordinary increases in property taxes or municipal utility costs
Significant capital expenditures — major repairs or improvements to the building
Increases in operating costs for security services

Tenant rights at an AGI hearing: If your landlord files an AGI application, you will receive a copy and have the right to contest it at a formal LTB hearing. You can dispute the necessity of the expenditures, their reasonableness, or the accuracy of the claimed costs. Even if an AGI is granted, increases are typically phased in over three years. Consider contacting a tenant duty counsel before the hearing.

How to Dispute an Illegal Rent Increase

Verify the notice

Confirm the notice is on Form N1, was given at least 90 days before the effective date, and the stated increase amount is correct.

Check the guideline

Compare the proposed increase against the Ontario Rent Increase Guideline for that year. If it exceeds the guideline and your unit is not exempt, it may be illegal — do not pay the excess.

Check your exemption status

If your unit was first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, the guideline may not apply. Verify this with your lease or building records. You can also contact the LTB.

File a T1 application

If the increase is illegal (above-guideline on a rent-controlled unit), file a T1 — Tenant Application for a Rebate of Money the Landlord Owes — with the Landlord and Tenant Board. There is a 2-year look-back period for overpayments.

Attend the LTB hearing

Bring documentation: your lease, the notice, guideline rates, and payment records. If the LTB finds an overcharge, it can order a refund and roll back the rent.

British Columbia

Residential Tenancy Act · Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB)

BC rent control applies to ALL residential units — there is no new-unit exemption like Ontario.
The annual allowable increase is set each fall by the provincial government and takes effect January 1.
2025 allowable increase: 3.0%. 2026 allowable increase: 2.3% (announced by BC government).
The increase was previously tied to BC CPI, but the formula was restructured — now it is simply the government-announced figure.
Rent can only be increased once every 12 months for the same tenant in the same unit.
Landlords must give at least 3 full rental months written notice before the increase takes effect. The effective date must be the last day of a rental period.
Proper notice can be given using RTB-7 form or a written letter that includes the amount of the increase and the date it takes effect.
If the notice does not meet legal requirements, the increase is not enforceable.

Dispute process: File an Application for Dispute Resolution at the Residential Tenancy Branch (gov.bc.ca/tenants). Hearings are typically conducted by teleconference. If the increase exceeds the allowable amount, the RTB can void the increase and order a refund.

Alberta

Residential Tenancies Act · Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS)

Alberta has no rent control. There is no cap on how much a landlord can raise rent. However, procedural rules still apply — proper notice is required and rent can only be increased once per year.

Rent can only be increased once every 12 months for the same tenant (in force since 2023 amendments to the Residential Tenancies Statutes Amendment Act).
For annual (fixed-term) tenancies: at least 3 full months written notice required.
For periodic (month-to-month) tenancies: one full rental period written notice required.
Notice must state the new rent amount and the date it takes effect.
Tenants cannot challenge the amount of an increase at the RTDRS — only procedural violations (improper notice, more than one increase in 12 months) can be disputed.

Quebec

Civil Code of Quebec · Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL)

Quebec's system differs fundamentally from other provinces. Rather than a single guideline percentage, the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) publishes annual revision factors for different cost components: building expenses, property taxes, insurance, and management fees. Rent increases are calculated based on the landlord's actual costs.

For leases of 12 months or more, the landlord must send written notice of lease renewal (with any proposed rent change) between 3 and 6 months before the lease expires.
For leases shorter than 12 months, notice must be given between 1 and 2 months before expiry.
The tenant has 1 month from receipt of the renewal notice to: (a) accept the proposed rent, (b) refuse the proposed rent and propose a different amount, or (c) refuse to renew the lease.
If the tenant refuses the proposed increase, the landlord can apply to the TAL to fix the rent. If the landlord does not apply within 1 month, the lease renews at the tenant's proposed rent.
Typical TAL-guided increases vary by building type — recent years have seen suggested increases of 4–8% depending on property expenses, taxes, and operating costs.
Security deposits of any kind are illegal in Quebec.
Any tenant can challenge a proposed increase at the TAL without paying a filing fee.

Manitoba

The Residential Tenancies Act · Residential Tenancies Branch

Manitoba has provincial rent control through the Rent Stabilization Program.
The annual guideline was 3% for 2025; for 2026 it dropped to 1.8%.
Landlords must give at least 3 months written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Rent can only be raised once every 12 months.
Landlords may apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch for an above-guideline increase in exceptional circumstances.
Tenants can dispute improper increases with the Residential Tenancies Branch — there is no filing fee for tenants.

Saskatchewan

The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 · Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT)

No rent control in Saskatchewan. Landlords may increase rent by any amount, but proper notice and frequency rules apply.

Rent can only be raised once every 12 months for an existing tenant.
For month-to-month tenancies: at least 1 full rental month written notice required.
For annual fixed-term tenancies: at least 3 months written notice required.
Tenants can file with the ORT if procedural notice rules are violated, but cannot challenge the amount of the increase.

Atlantic Provinces

New Brunswick

Residential Tenancies Act · Residential Tenancy Tribunal (RTT)

A 3% annual cap on rent increases has been in place since February 2025. Landlords must give at least 3 months written notice. Tenants can file a dispute with the Residential Tenancy Tribunal (RTT) at no cost — the RTT is free for tenants.

Nova Scotia

Residential Tenancies Act · Residential Tenancies Program

Nova Scotia's Interim Residential Rental Increase Cap Act set a 5% annual cap, which has been extended through 2027. Landlords must give at least 4 months written notice. Disputes are handled by the Residential Tenancies Program — free for tenants.

Prince Edward Island

Rental of Residential Property Act · Director of Residential Tenancy (IRAC)

The Director of Residential Tenancy (part of the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission) sets annual increase caps. The cap was 3% for both 2024 and 2025, dropping to 2% for 2026. Landlords must give 3 months written notice. Disputes are filed with IRAC at no cost.

Key US Jurisdictions

Selected states and cities with rent control or significant tenant protections

New York City

NYC's Rent Stabilization system covers approximately 1 million apartments, primarily in buildings built before 1974 with 6+ units. The Rent Guidelines Board sets annual increases: for leases commencing October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, the increases are 3% for 1-year leases and 4.5% for 2-year leases. Landlords must renew stabilized leases at the legal regulated rent. Rent-controlled units (a separate, older category) have even stronger protections.

The Good Cause Eviction law (enacted 2024) extends additional protections statewide, limiting rent increases for larger landlords in certain markets to CPI + 5% or 10%, whichever is lower, and requiring just cause for non-renewal.

California – AB 1482 (Statewide)

California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) caps annual rent increases at the lower of 5% + local CPI, or 10% total. It applies to most residential rental units in buildings that are 15 or more years old.

Exempt from AB 1482: Single-family homes where the tenant received written notice of the exemption; condominiums where the tenant received written notice; and buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued within the last 15 years (a rolling cutoff — currently buildings first occupied after roughly 2011). Local ordinances in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose provide additional protections on top of state law.

Los Angeles – RSO

The LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) covers most residential units in buildings constructed on or before October 1, 1978. The allowable annual increase for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 period is 3%. The Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA) administers the RSO. Landlords must register RSO units and cannot raise rent above the allowable amount without HCIDLA approval. San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose each have their own separate local rent control ordinances with distinct rules.

Canadian Province Comparison Table

Canadian Province Rent Increase Rules Comparison
Province	Rent Control	Current Cap	Notice Period	Dispute Body
Ontario	Yes (pre-Nov 15, 2018 units)	2.1% (2026)	90 days minimum	Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)
British Columbia	Yes (all units)	2.3% (2026)	3 full rental months	Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB)
Alberta	No	No cap	3 months (annual); full period (periodic)	RTDRS (procedure only)
Quebec	Formula-based (TAL)	Varies by building expenses	3–6 months (before lease end)	Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL)
Manitoba	Yes	1.8% (2026)	3 months minimum	Residential Tenancies Branch
Saskatchewan	No	No cap	1 month (monthly); 3 months (annual)	Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT)
New Brunswick	Yes (since Feb 2025)	3% per year	3 months	Residential Tenancy Tribunal (RTT)
Nova Scotia	Yes (cap until 2027)	5% per year	4 months	Residential Tenancies Program
PEI	Yes	2% (2026)	3 months	Director of Residential Tenancy (IRAC)

Caps and notice periods change annually. Always verify with the provincial tribunal or government website.