Can my landlord raise rent without limits?

What the Law Says

Rent control in Canada is governed by provincial and territorial residential tenancy laws — not federal law. Most provinces limit how much and how often rent can increase, require written notice, and prohibit increases during fixed-term tenancies unless agreed in writing.

In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act sets the annual rent increase guideline, which for 2024 is 2.5%. Landlords may only raise rent once every 12 months and must give tenants at least 90 days’ written notice using the official N12 form.

British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Act allows rent increases no more than once every 12 months, with a minimum 3 months’ written notice. The maximum increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) — for 2024, it’s 3.5%.

Quebec’s Civil Code and the Act Respecting the Régie du logement require landlords to notify tenants of rent increases at least 3 months before the lease renewal date, and increases must be reasonable — courts consider factors like maintenance costs, taxes, and comparable rents.

Statutory Text

A landlord may increase the rent charged to a tenant only once in any 12-month period.

— Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 120(1) — Ontario

Statutory Text

The landlord must give the tenant at least 90 days’ written notice of an increase in rent.

— Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 120(2) — Ontario

Statutory Text

No increase in rent may be made unless the landlord gives the tenant three months' written notice.

— Civil Code of Québec, art. 1947 — Quebec

Statutory Text

A landlord must not increase rent more than once in a 12-month period.

— Residential Tenancy Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 78, s. 45(1) — British Columbia

What Courts Have Said

Courts across Canada have consistently upheld that rent increases must comply strictly with statutory notice, timing, and reasonableness requirements — and that landlords bear the burden of justification where challenged.

What to Do

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