Rent increases help a landlord offset the rising costs of building maintenance, and ensure tenants’ homes are safe, clean and in good living condition.

To find out how often rent can be increased, and by how much in your province or territory, please consult with your provincial/territorial office.

If the cost of rent will be increasing, the landlord must notify tenants in advance.

How much notice will depend on provincial and territorial guidelines, and will be influenced by:

  • Weekly, month-to-month or yearly tenancy
  • The anniversary of the lease

Please consult with your provincial/territorial office if you have any questions.

Rent control

In several provinces, rent control is in place for existing tenancies. This means that the landlord cannot increase the rent until the tenant moves out. For existing tenancies, a landlord may be able to propose a rent increase above the “rent increase guidelines” set by the province. However, a landlord must apply to the local rent authority for approval before the increase can take effect.

TIPS FOR TENANTS...

If your landlord doesn’t give you advance notice of a rent increase, you can refuse to pay the increased amount until they do.

If the rent increase affects your finances, you can apply to your provincial authority for a rent reduction in some provinces if:

  • The landlord doesn’t make repairs or improvements, or fails to provide services as a condition of a rent increase.
  • If municipal taxes have been lowered.
  • If a building service or facility is reduced or removed.