Templates kept up to date with current regulations Secure payment Email support
Calculator Free, no sign-up Data as of 1 August 2025

Rent Increase Calculator for Canada

Calculate the maximum legal rent increase for your province, check notice periods, and determine your new rent. For landlords and tenants in Ontario, BC, Manitoba, PEI, and Yukon.

Your details

Select your province. Rent increase rules and guidelines vary by location.

Enter the current monthly rent amount before any increase.

The effective date of the most recent rent increase. Required to check the 12-month rule.

The date the written notice of the rent increase is (or will be) provided to the tenant.

The date you plan for the new rent to take effect. Must be at least 90 days from the notice date.

In Ontario, units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, are exempt from the guideline limit. Check 'Yes' only if your province is Ontario and this applies.

Enter the specific dollar amount you wish to increase the rent by. Leave blank to calculate using the provincial guideline. For Ontario exempt units, you must enter a value here.

If you know the official guideline percentage for your province and year (e.g., from a government website), you can enter it here to override the default. Leave blank to use our stored value.

Result

Is the Proposed Increase Legal? Yes

Final check: The increase must respect the 12-month rule, 90-day notice, and the provincial guideline (unless exempt in Ontario).

How it is calculated

Provincial Guideline Increase Rate The maximum percentage increase allowed for most tenancies this year.
2.5 %
Applicable Maximum Increase The legal maximum dollar increase. Null for Ontario exempt units (no limit).
CA$50.00
Proposed New Rent Current rent plus the proposed or guideline-based increase.
CA$2,050.00
Months Since Last Increase Full months between the last increase and the proposed new effective date.
15 months
12-Month Rule Satisfied? A rent increase can only occur once every 12 months.
Yes
Notice Period Given (Days) Days from the notice date until the proposed effective date. Must be at least 90 days.
92 days
90-Day Notice Rule Satisfied? Landlords must give at least 90 days' written notice for a rent increase.
Yes
Increase Within Guideline Limit? Checks if the proposed new rent exceeds the provincial guideline (always true for Ontario exempt units).
Yes
Keep in mind
  • This calculator provides an estimate based on standard rules. Always verify with your provincial tenancy authority, as rules can change and specific situations (e.g., fixed-term leases, substantial renovations, utility pass-throughs) may have different requirements.
  • The guideline percentages are for 2026. For other years, use the 'Annual Rent Increase Guideline (%)' input to enter the correct official percentage.
  • In Ontario, units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, are exempt from the rent increase guideline. For these units, landlords and tenants must agree on the increase amount, but the 90-day notice and 12-month rules still apply. You must enter a value in 'Proposed Rent Increase Amount' for exempt units.
  • The 'Date Rent Increase Notice is Given' is crucial for an accurate 90-day notice check. The calculator does not use the current date.

Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.

Prepare the document now

With the result already worked out, you can fill in the document right away.

The editor opens with the calculator details already entered.

Change of Rent Notice
You may also need

Canada Rent Increase Rules and Calculator

In Canada, landlords cannot raise the rent whenever they want. Provincial laws set strict rules about how much notice must be given, how often rent can be increased, and, in most cases, the maximum percentage by which it can be raised. This rent increase calculator helps landlords and tenants in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon determine if a proposed rent increase is legal.

How Rent Increases Work in Canada

Most residential tenancies in Canada are covered by provincial residential tenancy acts. These laws share two fundamental rules:

  • 90-Day Notice: A landlord must provide written notice of a rent increase at least 90 days before the new rent takes effect.
  • 12-Month Interval: Rent can only be increased once every 12 months from the last increase.

Beyond these common rules, most provinces have a rent increase guideline. This is a maximum percentage set annually by the provincial government, typically based on the Consumer Price Index. For 2026, the guidelines are: Ontario (2.5%), British Columbia (3.5%), Manitoba (3.0%), PEI (3.0%), and Yukon (2.0%).

Calculating a Legal Rent Increase: An Example

Imagine a tenant in Ontario paying $2,000 per month. Their last rent increase was on June 1, 2025. The landlord gives notice on June 1, 2026, for a new rent effective September 1, 2026.

  1. Check the Guideline: The 2026 Ontario guideline is 2.5%.
  2. Calculate Maximum Increase: 2.5% of $2,000 is $50. The new rent cannot exceed $2,050.
  3. Check the 12-Month Rule: From June 1, 2025, to September 1, 2026, is 15 full months. This satisfies the rule.
  4. Check the 90-Day Notice: From June 1, 2026, to September 1, 2026, is 92 days' notice. This satisfies the rule.

Therefore, an increase to $2,050 on September 1, 2026, with proper notice, would be legal.

Important Exceptions and Special Cases

Ontario Rent Control Exemption: In Ontario, rental units that were first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, are exempt from the rent increase guideline. For these newer units, landlords can increase the rent by any amount, but they must still follow the 90-day notice and 12-month rules. The tenant must agree to the increase. In this calculator, you must enter a specific 'Proposed Rent Increase Amount' for exempt units.

Other Provinces: Some provinces allow for rent increases above the guideline with approval from the residential tenancies board, usually for reasons like major capital repairs or significant property tax increases. These cases require a formal application and are not covered by this basic calculator.

What to Do After Calculating Your Increase

If the increase is legal, the landlord must provide proper written notice. The Change of Rent Notice is the standard form for this purpose. It documents the current rent, new rent, increase amount, percentage, and the effective date, ensuring compliance with provincial regulations. Both parties should keep a copy for their records.

For more complex changes, such as adjusting other lease terms along with the rent, a Lease Amendment Agreement may be more appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

How much can my landlord raise my rent in Ontario in 2026?

For most units, the maximum increase for 2026 is 2.5%. However, units first occupied after November 15, 2018, are exempt from this limit, though the 90-day notice and 12-month rules still apply.

Can my rent be increased every 6 months?

No. Provincial law across Canada requires at least 12 months between rent increases, regardless of the amount.

What happens if my landlord doesn't give 90 days' notice?

A rent increase notice that does not provide the full 90 days is void. The increase cannot take effect until a proper notice is served, and the new effective date must be at least 90 days from the date the correct notice is given.

Is there a maximum rent increase in British Columbia?

Yes. For 2026, the maximum allowable rent increase in BC is 3.5%, as set by the BC Residential Tenancy Branch. This applies to most tenancy agreements.

My building is new (built in 2020). Do the rules still apply?

In Ontario, new buildings (first occupied after Nov 15, 2018) are exempt from the percentage cap. In other provinces like BC, the guideline applies regardless of the building's age. The 90-day notice and 12-month rules always apply.

Where can I find the official rent increase guideline for my province?

Check your provincial government's website. For Ontario, visit the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. For BC, visit the Residential Tenancy Branch. These agencies publish the guideline percentage each year.