Rent Increase Guideline

The guideline is the maximum a landlord can increase most tenants’ rent during a year without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board.

1. Rent increase guideline for 2018
   
2. Who it applies to
3. When can rent be increased
4. How the guideline is calculated
5. A sample calculation
6. Previous rent increase guidelines
7. Additional information
   

Rent increase guideline for 2018The rent increase guideline is 1.8% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2018.
Who it applies to

The guideline applies to most private residential rental units covered by the Residential Tenancies Act.
The guideline does not apply to:

• vacant residential units
• social housing units
• nursing homes
  
• commercial properties

When can rent be increased In most cases, the rent for a unit can be increased 12 months after:

• the last rent increase
• a tenant first moves in

A tenant must be given written notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before it takes effect.
How the guideline is calculated It is calculated using the Ontario Consumer Price Index, a Statistics Canada tool that measures inflation and economic conditions over a year. Data from June to May is used to determine the 2017 guideline for the following year.
A sample calculation:
Your monthly rent was increased to $1,000 on June 1, 2017. The guideline for 2018 is 1.8%. Therefore:

• an increase of 1.8% on $1,000 = $18.00
• $1,000 + $18.00 = $1,018.0

Your landlord could lawfully increase your rent payment 12 months later on June  1, 2018 up to $1,018.00 per month
Your landlord would need to provide you written notice at least 90 days before June  1, 2018.
Previous rent increase guidelines

The chart below illustrates yearly rent increases, in Ontario, from 1991 to 2017.
Year  Guideline (%)
2017  1.5
2016  2.0
2015  1.6
2014  0.8
2013  2.5
2012  3.1
2011  0.7
2010  2.1
2009  1.8
2008  1.4
2007  2.6
2006  2.1
2005  1.5
2004  2.9
2003  2.9
2002  3.9
2001  2.9
2000  2.6
1999  3.0
1998  3.0
1997  2.8
1996  2.8
1995  2.9
1994  3.2
1993  4.9
1992  6.0
1991  5.4

For more information on the rent increase guideline, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board:

• by email
• 1-416-645-8080 (in the Toronto area)