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Rent increases and maximum rent
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436
Rent, security deposits and interest
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437
Tenants' rights and responsibilities when moving out
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438
Rights and obligations of landlords
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439
Tenants' associations
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440
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1450
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Residential Eviction Procedures
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444
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446
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454
Skip tracing to find tenants who owe rent
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456
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Commercial Landlords and Tenants
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447
What law applies to commercial tenancies?
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448
Rent increases
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449
Eviction of commercial tenants
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450
What are a landlord's options if a tenant is in arrears?
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451
Breaching a commercial lease
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452
Tenants' rights and responsibilities when moving out
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453
Background checks on potential commercial tenants
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HomeLegal Answers Landlord and Tenant Residential Landlords and Tenants Rent increases and maximum rent
Region: Ontario
Area of Law: Landlord and Tenant
Answer # 435
Region: OntarioAnswer # 435
In 2023, the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant’s rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board is 2.5% (rent control).
Generally, a tenant’s rent can only be increased once every 12 months,and the landlord must give the tenant written notice of a rent increase at least90 days before it takes effect.
What tenancies does the rent controlled increase apply to?
The controlled maximum annual rent increase applies to most residential rental accommodations covered by the Residential Tenancies Act,including:
- single and semi-detached houses,
- apartments,
- condominiums,
- care homes,
- mobile homes,
- land lease communities, and
- basem*nt apartments
What type of tenancies are not subject to government rent control?
Rent control does not apply to:
- units in buildings occupied/rented for the first time after November 15, 2018
- units that are newly built, additions to existing buildings, and new basem*nt apartments
- social housing units
- vacant residential units
- long-term care homes, or
- commercial property.
How are rent increases determined?
For most tenants, rent cannot be increased by more than the Ontario Government yearly rental increase guidelines. However, landlords may apply to the province’s Landlord and Tenant Board for an increase above the annual limit. The guidelines are calculated using the Ontario Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation and economic conditions over a year.
When can a landlord raise the rent above the guidelines?
A landlord can make an application to the Board to approve a rent increase above the guideline if:
- a landlord’s costs for municipal taxes or utilities (heat, water and electricity combined) have increased an exceptional amount,
- a landlord’s operating costs related to security services increased, or
- the landlord had eligible capital expenditures, meaning extraordinary or significant renovations, repairs, replacements or new additions to the building or to individual units.
Illegal rent
If a landlord charges illegal rent, the tenant may be able to get a rebate by applying to the Landlord and Tenant Board. This includes cases where the landlord charges more than the maximum amount, or raises the rent more than once every 12 months. To apply for a rebate, the tenant will need to fill out forms requesting a hearing and file them with the Board office together with a small application fee. Tenants who need assistance making an application should contact a local legal clinic.
For additional information about maximum rent and rent increases in Ontario, visitontario.ca.
Help for tenants
A criminal recordwill affect your ability to be approved for a residential lease. To erase yourcriminal record, learn more at Pardon Partners.It’s easier than you think.
If you are havingfinancial problems, it may be difficult to rent an apartment or condominium. You can get help to clear your debt and repair your credit. For easy-to-understand debt solutions on your terms, contact our preferred experts 4Pillarsand rebuild your financial future. With 60 locations across Canada, they will help youdesign adebtrepayment plan and guide you with compassionate advice. No judgment. For help, visit 4Pillarsor call toll-free 1-844-888-0442 .
If you are a tenant, you can add your monthly rent payment to your credit report using FrontLobby. This can:
- Improve your credit score on average 33pts to 84pts
- Build good credit faster with a new rent tradeline
- Unlock credit rewards (better bank loans, credit cards, mortgage rates)
Help forlandlords
For legal advice and assistance with a residential tenancy and applications to the Landlord and Tenant Board, contact our preferred Landlord and Tenant experts Nicola (Nick) Giannantonio Legal Services.
If you are a landlord, you can pull tenant credit reports and report monthly rent payments to the credit bureaus using FrontLobby. This helps you:
- Attract, screen and reward great tenants
- Ensure rent is paid on-time, every month
- Recover debts from unpaid rent
You now have 4 options:
- More answers about Landlord and Tenant
- Master List: all areas of law
- ASK an Expert, submit your question
- Connect with government offices
-
General Information
-
Residential Landlords and Tenants
-
424
How can a landlord evaluate potential tenants?
-
455
Credit checks on residential applicants
-
425
Residential leases
-
426
Leases and month-to-month tenancies
-
427
Tenants living with children
-
428
Do tenants have rights if they only rent a room?
-
429
Tenants' rights if care services are provided
-
430
Does a tenant have the right to keep pets?
-
431
When can the landlord enter?
-
432
Who can change the locks?
-
433
Rights and obligations for repairs
-
434
Subletting or assigning a lease
-
435
Rent increases and maximum rent
-
436
Rent, security deposits and interest
-
437
Tenants' rights and responsibilities when moving out
-
438
Rights and obligations of landlords
-
439
Tenants' associations
-
440
Rights and obligations of roommates
-
1450
Short-Term Rentals and Airbnbs
-
-
Residential Eviction Procedures
-
441
When can a landlord evict a tenant?
-
442
How does a landlord evict a tenant?
-
443
What to do if your landlord wants to evict you
-
444
How do you fight an Eviction Order?
-
445
What happens to a tenant's property after eviction?
-
446
How can landlords collect arrears of rent?
-
454
Skip tracing to find tenants who owe rent
-
456
How do you collect unpaid rent from former tenants?
-
-
Commercial Landlords and Tenants
-
447
What law applies to commercial tenancies?
-
448
Rent increases
-
449
Eviction of commercial tenants
-
450
What are a landlord's options if a tenant is in arrears?
-
451
Breaching a commercial lease
-
452
Tenants' rights and responsibilities when moving out
-
453
Background checks on potential commercial tenants
-