On this page, find key information about the rent regulation laws in place in your province or territory, including about:
* The information on this page was last updated in February 2025.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Alberta does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, British Columbia has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
If a landlord wants to raise the rent beyond the limits allowed in the RTA, they can apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch. The RTA lists specific reasons why a landlord can apply for an above limit which include:
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Manitoba has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. The Residential Tenancies Branch can order a landlord to roll back rents and repay unauthorized rents to renters if they find that a renter has been charged an unauthorized rent.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
A landlord may apply to the Director of Residential Tenancies to be allowed to raise the rent above the annual limit if they can show they have increased operating costs or capital expenses. If a renter objects to the increase, they may file an objection with the Director.
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
If a renter moves out of a unit in a building that has four or more units, the rent charged for the new renter may be increased to the average rent being charged for similar units in the same building if notice is given to the new renters. But if a renter moves out of a rental unit in a building that has three units or less, the landlord can increase the rent by any amount that they decide, if they provide notice to the new renters.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, New Brunswick has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. This policy was introduced in 2025.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
Landlords can apply to a residential tenancies officer for permission to raise the rent by more than what is allowed in the RTA, up to a maximum limit. In order to obtain approval to raise the rent above what is allowed in the RTA, landlords must provide proof that they have incurred capital expenditures for renovations.
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to some rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Newfoundland and Labrador does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent regulation policy?
No, Northwest Territories does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Nova Scotia does not have a permanent rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act on how and when rent can be increased. The province implemented a temporary rent regulation policy in November 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been extended to December 31, 2025.
What are the general rules around rent increases?
What is the temporary rent regulation policy?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent regulation policy?
No, Nunavut does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Ontario has a rent regulation policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. In Ontario these are referred to as guidelines.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
Landlords can apply to the LTB for permission to raise the rent by more than what is allowed in the guideline. This is referred to as an above guideline increase or AGI. The RTA lists specific reasons why a landlord can apply for an AGI which include:
If the landlord gets approval for an AGI, they must still wait 12 months between rent increases and give 90 days’ written notice to the renter before the rent goes up.
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Prince Edward Island has a rent regulation policy in the Rental of Residential Property Act. The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission decides the maximum limits by which landlords can raise the rent every year.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what the limit allows?
If a landlord wants to raise the rent above the limit that is allowed, they must apply to the Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property, and the Director will decide on the increase. A hearing must take place which may be attended by the renter. The Director will consider different factors when making their decision including:
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
Rent increases are attached to the unit and not the renter. Rent cannot be automatically increased between different renters. If a new renter moves in, the landlord can only increase the rent according to the rules around rent increases mentioned above. If a landlord wants to increase the rent beyond the limit, they must apply to the Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
Yes, Quebec has a rent regulation policy, but it only applies if a renter refuses a proposed increase within one month of receiving notice of it. If a renter does not refuse, then a landlord can increase the rent by any amount.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Do rent increase limits apply when renters change?
Rent increases are attached to the unit and not the renter. Rent cannot be automatically increased between different renters. If a new renter moves in, the landlord can only increase the rent according to the rules around rent increases mentioned above. They must disclose in the lease the lowest amount of rent that the previous renter paid within the last 12 months.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent regulation policy?
No, Saskatchewan does not have a rent regulation policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent regulation policy?
Yukon does not have a permanent rent regulation policy. However, a temporary rent regulation policy has been in effect since January 31, 2023. Since this is a temporary policy, the rules around rent regulation might change in future years.
What are the general rules around rent increases?
What is the temporary rent regulation policy?
The lack of affordable rental housing and the sharp rise in rents have become key issues in Alberta. On December 5, 2023, Alberta’s Housing Critic tabled a Private Members’ Bill to introduce temporary rent caps. Bill 205 represents a vital first step toward rent regulation in the province, and if implemented, can help keep Alberta’s renters in their homes.
Our Advocacy Toolkit for Bill 205 offers several actions that you can take to lend your voice in support of the bill and rent regulations in Alberta.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
Throughout 2021, CCHR and the National Right to Housing Network (NRHN) held a series of regional workshops with local partners across Canada.
During these workshops, participants identified the systemic issues that prevent people from realizing their right to housing, including issues faced by: Indigenous people, women-led households, persons with disabilities, members of racialized groups, immigrants and refugees, members of LGBTQ2S+ communities and people with low incomes.
Participants have also proposed solutions for how this right can be claimed under the National Housing Strategy Act (NHSA).
Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
In partnership with:
British Columbia
In partnership with:
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
In partnership with:
Quebec
This workshop was led by:
Note: this report is only available in French.
Ontario
In partnership with:
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador
In partnership with:
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords have the right to request proof of income from prospective tenants, and they have the right to refuse to rent to someone if they believe their income is not high enough to afford the rent. However, receipt of social assistance is a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, and to prevent discrimination based on receipt of social assistance, under the Code, landlords do not have the right to request that prospective tenants provide the source of their income. This means that in some cases, when landlords ask for a letter of employment, it could act as proof of discrimination if the landlord refused a tenant who did not provide proof they are employed. Some prospective tenants may be refused by landlords because their income is not much higher than the monthly rent amount, even if they work full-time. While this is a serious concern for many tenants as housing in Ontario becomes increasingly unaffordable, it is not a violation of the Human Rights Code.
If you think a landlord has refused to rent to you based on the source of your income (for example, if you receive public assistance like Ontario Works or ODSP) contact CCHR for support.
In Ontario, the Human Rights Code protects individuals from discrimination in housing based on sixteen protected grounds, which include race, ethnic origin, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, and family status, among others. If a landlord has refused to rent to you due to one of these aspects of your identity, it is against the law.
If you think you are facing discrimination when trying to access housing, CCHR may be in a position to advocate on your behalf.
You may also wish to file an application with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.
The Human Rights Tribunal is one of eight Ontario Tribunals. When a complaint is filed with the Tribunal, they will determine whether or not the Code has been violated. Applicants that file with the Human Rights Tribunal may need to attend a mediation session or a hearing and provide evidence of their complaint. If the Tribunal determines that there has been a violation of the Human Rights Code, the Tribunal may order a remedy, for example financial compensation.
The Ontario Human Rights Code protects individuals from being discriminated against for their “record of offences,” when accessing employment but not when accessing housing. For example, an employer cannot discriminate against a potential employee for having a criminal record unless the offences listed on the record would have a real effect on their ability to do their job.
Landlords can choose not to rent to individuals who have a criminal record without violating the Ontario Human Rights Code. However, requiring potential tenants to submit a criminal record check as part of a rental application process could constitute “adverse effect discrimination.” Adverse effect discrimination happens when seemingly neutral policies, practices, or rules have discriminatory effects on particular groups. For example, if a landlord requests a criminal record check or police check from all applicants for a unit, this could have a discriminatory effect on some groups of applicants who have had interactions with police connected a protected ground, such as mental health disability. The landlord’s policy could be discriminatory.
Finding accessible housing in Ontario can be very difficult, and waitlists for accessible units are often very long. For many tenants, it is easier and quicker to request accommodations from their housing provider to make their current unit accessible rather than wait for an accessible unit to become available.
If you need assistance finding affordable housing in Toronto, contact the Housing Help Centre:
The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) provides free, individualized services to renters in Ontario who are facing challenges in their housing.
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