Ontario rent increase guideline 2026: the 2.1% cap explained
Ontario's 2026 rent increase guideline is 2.1%. Who it covers, the November 2018 exemption, the 12-month and 90-day notice rules, and larger increases.
By Leap Editorial · Sep 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Each year, Ontario sets a rent increase guideline: the most a landlord can raise rent for a sitting tenant without approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board. For 2026, the guideline is 2.1%.
Who it applies to
The guideline covers most private residential rentals in Ontario. It does not apply to:
- Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018. These are exempt from the guideline, so a landlord can raise the rent by more, as long as they follow the notice rules.
- Vacant units. When a tenant moves out, the landlord can set any rent for the next tenant.
- Community or social housing, long-term care homes, and commercial properties.
To find out if your unit is exempt, check when the building or unit was first lived in. Your Standard Lease may also note it.
The rules every increase must follow
Even when a unit is exempt from the guideline, these rules still apply:
- Once every 12 months. Rent can only go up 12 months after your tenancy started or after your last increase.
- 90 days' written notice. Your landlord must give you written notice at least 90 days before the increase, usually on the Landlord and Tenant Board's Form N1.
- No notice, no increase. If proper notice isn't given, the increase isn't valid.
A quick example
If your rent is $2,400 and your unit is covered by the guideline, the most your landlord can raise it in 2026 without approval is 2.1%, which is $50.40, for a new rent of $2,450.40.
Above-guideline increases
A landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an above-guideline increase in limited situations, for example after major repairs or renovations, or big increases in municipal taxes. Tenants are notified and can take part in the hearing.
What it means when you're choosing a place
Because future guideline increases are a percentage of your rent, the rent you start at matters for years. If you're thinking about offering above asking, factor in the long run, and check whether the unit was first occupied after November 15, 2018.
General information, not legal advice. Check the Ontario government's rent increase guideline page or the Landlord and Tenant Board for current details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026?+
2.1%. It's the maximum a landlord can increase rent for most sitting tenants in 2026 without approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Does the guideline apply to newer buildings?+
No. Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline. The 12-month and 90-day notice rules still apply.
How much notice does my landlord have to give for a rent increase?+
At least 90 days' written notice, and rent can only be increased once every 12 months.
