- The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 applies to most rental units even if the lease says otherwise, and any conflicting lease term is void.
- The yearly guideline figure, the notice period and any exemption for a newer unit should be confirmed against the current rules before a rent increase is given.
- If a dispute reaches the Landlord and Tenant Board, the application type decides the form, the filing method and the fee.
Rent increases are one of the most common sources of friction between landlords and tenants in Ontario. Both sides usually want the same thing: a clear answer on how much, when and with what notice.
The exact yearly guideline figure, the notice period and the exemptions for newer units change over time and depend on the unit. This article explains the legal framework around them and the related rules you can rely on, and it points out what to confirm before you act.
Which law governs your rent
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) applies to rental units despite any agreement or waiver to the contrary. A lease term that conflicts with the Act is void. So a clause that says the landlord can raise the rent however they like does not override the Act.
There is an exception for shared living. The RTA does not apply where the occupant must share a bathroom or kitchen with the owner, or with the owner's spouse, child or parent, who lives in the same building. A self-contained basement apartment does not fall under that exemption.
What to confirm before raising or accepting an increase
How the guideline rate is set and whether it changes depends on your situation, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer. The same rate is used to work out the interest on a rent deposit.
- The current guideline figure for the year the increase takes effect.
- The required written notice and how far ahead it must be given.
- Whether the unit qualifies for any exemption, which depends on its facts.
- What your lease says, remembering that a term conflicting with the Act is void.
Other money rules that often come up
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | The only deposit a landlord may collect is a rent deposit. It can be no more than one rent period or one month's rent, whichever is less. |
| Deposit interest | It earns annual interest at the rent increase guideline rate. |
| Post-dated cheques | Neither a landlord nor a lease may require them. |
| Lease form | For most private rentals, landlords must use the Ontario standard lease for new leases. |
If a tenant asks for the standard lease in writing and does not receive it within 21 days, the tenant may withhold one month's rent.
If you disagree about rent
A landlord cannot remove a tenant or change the locks over a disagreement. A notice does not end a tenancy by itself, and if the tenant stays, the landlord must apply to the LTB. Only the Sheriff can enforce an eviction order.
At an arrears hearing the tenant may raise any issue that could be the subject of a tenant application. For landlord applications filed on or after September 21, 2026, the tenant must also first pay the landlord half of the claimed arrears at least seven days before the hearing, and this payment cannot be made to the LTB in trust.
If the tenant pays the arrears, any further rent due and the landlord's application fee before the eviction order issues, the arrears application is discontinued. After the order becomes enforceable but before it is carried out, the tenant may pay and bring a motion, but only once per tenancy agreement period.
L1, L2, L3, L4, L9, L10, T1, T2, T5 and T6 applications can be filed through the Tribunals Ontario Portal. L1, L2, L3, L9 and L10 cost $201, or $186 through the Portal, and T1, T2, T5 and T6 cost $53, or $48 through the Portal. Fees are non-refundable, and a Fee Waiver Request form is available.
What to do next
- Read your lease and note anything about rent, deposits or increases.
- Find the current guideline and notice rules on the official government and Tribunals Ontario sites.
- Check whether your unit may be exempt, and keep records of when it was first rented.
- Keep copies of every notice, payment and message.
- Talk to a lawyer before filing an application or responding to one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lease set a different rent increase rule than the RTA?
Generally no. The RTA applies despite any agreement or waiver, and a lease term that conflicts with it is void. A narrow exception exists where the occupant shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner.
Does a deposit have to earn interest?
Yes. A rent deposit earns annual interest at the rent increase guideline rate. It can be no more than one rent period or one month's rent, whichever is less.
Can a landlord change the locks if a tenant refuses an increase?
No. A landlord cannot remove the tenant or change the locks. If the tenant stays after a notice, the landlord must apply to the LTB.
Where do I find the guideline figure and newer-unit exemptions?
They are set by the current rules and can change, so check the official government and LTB pages for the year in question. A lawyer can confirm how they apply to your unit.
Sources
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (e-Laws) — Ontario e-Laws
- Ontario.ca – Renting in Ontario: Your rights — ontario.ca
- LTB Brochure – How a Landlord Can End a Tenancy — tribunalsontario.ca
- Tribunals Ontario – LTB Operational Update, September 21, 2026 — tribunalsontario.ca
- Tribunals Ontario – LTB Application and hearing process — tribunalsontario.ca
- Tribunals Ontario – LTB Forms, filing and fees — tribunalsontario.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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