Guide · Rent increases across Canada

Rent increase rules by province (2026)

In 2026 the most you can raise rent without special approval is 2.1% in Ontario, 2.3% in BC, 1.8% in Manitoba and 5% in Nova Scotia, while Alberta has no cap and Quebec uses a TAL calculation instead of a fixed limit.

General information, not legal advice. Each province's tenancy law and official forms are the final word. Figures were checked against official government sources on 2026-11-01; rules can change, so confirm on the official pages linked below before you serve a notice.

Key points

Most provinces allow only one increase every 12 months.
Written notice is always required. The notice period runs from 90 days (Ontario) to four months (Nova Scotia).
A cap (guideline) applies in Ontario, BC, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Alberta has none.
Quebec has no fixed cap. If the tenant refuses, the TAL sets the rent using a formula.
Exempt units still need proper notice. Using the wrong form can make the increase invalid.

Comparison table

Province	2026 limit	2027 limit	How often	Notice	Form
Ontario	2.1%	1.9%	Once per 12 months	90 days, written	LTB Form N1 (N2 for partially exempt units)
British Columbia	2.3%	2.2%	Once per 12 months	3 full months	RTB-7
Quebec	No cap; TAL base 3.1%*	Not yet published	At lease renewal	3 to 6 months before end of a 12-month lease	Written notice of lease modification
Alberta	No cap	No cap	Once per 365 days	3 full months (monthly tenancy)	Written, dated, signed notice
Manitoba	1.8%	3.0%	Usually once a year	3 months, written	RTB Notice of Rent Increase
Nova Scotia	5% cap	5% cap (until Dec 31, 2027)	Once per 12 months	4 months (monthly or yearly lease)	Written notice

*Quebec's 3.1% applies only when the TAL sets the rent, for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027. Other adjustments can be added. See the Quebec section.

Planning an Ontario increase? Use our Ontario rent increase calculator to get the new rent and the latest date to serve the N1.

Ontario

Guideline: 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. By law it can never be more than 2.5%. Use the guideline for the year the increase takes effect.
How often: at least 12 months since the last increase or the start of the tenancy.
Notice: at least 90 days' written notice on the proper Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) form. That is Form N1 for most units, or Form N2 for partially exempt units such as some non-profit housing.
Exempt units: the guideline does not apply to new buildings, additions and most new basement apartments first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018. You still need the 12-month wait and 90 days' notice.
Going above the guideline: sign an N10 agreement with the tenant (for capital work or a new service), or apply to the LTB with Form L5.
A tenant can dispute an improper increase within 12 months after it was first charged.

More detail: Ontario guideline 2026 and 2027, N1 deadline calendar, and N1 vs N2 vs N10.

British Columbia

Limit: 2.3% for 2026 and 2.2% for 2027. The limit is tied to inflation.
How often: once every 12 months.
Notice: three full months, on Form RTB-7 (Notice of Rent Increase). The notice must show the exact dollar amount and the date the new rent starts.
Above the limit: possible in some cases (for example certain capital expenditures or an additional occupant), through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Exemptions: some housing types are outside the Residential Tenancy Act. Check the Residential Tenancy Regulation if you are unsure.

Example: rent is $2,000. A March 1, 2027 increase can be at most 2.2%, or $44, for a new rent of $2,044. The tenant must receive the RTB-7 three full months before, so it must arrive by November 30, 2026 (allow extra days if you mail it).

Quebec

Quebec has no rent cap. The landlord proposes an increase when the lease renews. The tenant can accept, refuse and stay, or leave. If the tenant refuses, the TAL (Tribunal administratif du logement) sets the rent.

Notice timing: for a lease of 12 months or more, send the notice of lease modification 3 to 6 months before the lease ends. Shorter leases have different windows.
Tenant reply: the tenant has one month to answer. Silence means the tenant accepts the change.
If the tenant refuses: the landlord has one month to apply to the TAL. If not, the lease renews at the same rent.
Exemption: for a building built or converted to housing 5 years ago or less, the TAL cannot set the rent if the lease includes that mention.

The TAL calculation for 2026 (augmentation de loyer 2026)

A new calculation method applies to notices given on or after January 1, 2026. Notices given before that date use the old method.

The base rent is indexed by the three-year average of Quebec's Consumer Price Index.
For leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027, the base percentage is 3.1%.
The part of rent for services to the tenant personally (for example in seniors' residences) uses 6.7%. If the lease has no such services, ignore this rate.
Changes in taxes and insurance are taken into account.
Major work (capital expenditures) is recovered using a fixed 5% rate set by regulation.

These percentages apply only when the TAL sets the rent. They are not a legal maximum for an agreed increase. The TAL website has a calculation tool and notice templates. For comparison, the base rate for leases starting between April 2, 2025 and April 1, 2026 was 4.5%.

Alberta

Limit: none. There is no cap on how much rent can rise.
How often: at least 365 days since the last increase or the start of the tenancy, whichever is later.
Fixed-term leases: rent cannot be increased during the fixed term.
Notice (periodic tenancies): 3 full tenancy months for month-to-month, 12 full tenancy weeks for week-to-week, and 90 days for other periodic tenancies.
Form: no set government form, but the notice must be in writing, dated, signed by the landlord, and show when the increase takes effect. A notice missing these is void.

Manitoba

Guideline: 1.8% for 2026 (effective January 1, 2026) and 3.0% for 2027.
Notice: at least three months' written notice. For a January 1, 2027 increase, the notice had to reach the tenant by September 30, 2026.
How often: in most cases once a year.
Exempt units: units renting for $1,670 or more per month in 2026 (the threshold rises to $2,000 for 2027), and units in buildings first occupied after March 2005, among others.
Above the guideline: landlords can apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch.

Nova Scotia

Cap: 5% once every 12 months. The temporary cap is in effect until December 31, 2027.
When it applies: to the same tenant renewing in the same unit, including on a fixed-term lease. It does not apply to a new tenant signing a new lease.
First year: no increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy.
Notice: written notice with the amount and start date, at least four months ahead for month-to-month and year-to-year leases (eight weeks for week-to-week).
Exclusions: public housing and land-lease communities (mobile home parks) follow separate rules.
Removing a service or charging separately for something that was included counts as a rent increase.

Other provinces and territories

Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and the territories set their own rules. We have not covered them here. Check your provincial residential tenancy office before you serve a notice.

Common mistakes

Serving notice late. Count back from the effective date and allow extra time for mail.
Using last year's guideline instead of the one for the year the increase takes effect.
Using a plain letter where an official form is required (Ontario N1, BC RTB-7).

FAQ

What is the rent increase guideline for 2026?

It depends on the province. For 2026: Ontario 2.1%, British Columbia 2.3%, Manitoba 1.8%, and Nova Scotia has a 5% cap. Alberta has no limit on the amount. Quebec has no fixed cap; if the tenant refuses and the TAL sets the rent, the base percentage is 3.1% for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027.

How much can a landlord raise rent in Alberta?

Alberta has no limit on the amount of a rent increase. The landlord must wait at least 365 days since the last increase or the start of the tenancy, cannot raise rent during a fixed term, and must give written notice: 3 full tenancy months for a month-to-month tenancy.

What is the BC rent increase for 2026 and 2027?

The BC limit is 2.3% for 2026 and 2.2% for 2027. Rent can rise once every 12 months, with three full months' notice on Form RTB-7.

Do Ontario units first occupied after November 15, 2018 have a rent increase limit?

No. The guideline does not apply to new buildings, additions and most new basement units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018. You still need to wait 12 months between increases and give at least 90 days' written notice on the proper LTB form.

How does the TAL calculate the 2026 rent increase in Quebec?

For notices given on or after January 1, 2026, the TAL uses a new method. The base rent is indexed by the three-year average of Quebec's CPI, which gives 3.1% for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027. Changes in taxes and insurance and part of the cost of major work can be added. These percentages only apply if the TAL has to set the rent.

Related tools and guides

Ontario rent increase calculator
Ontario rent increase guideline: 2026 and 2027
N1 deadline calendar
N1 vs N2 vs N10: which form to use
Landlord Pilot workspace: track rent, notices and deadlines for your units

Official sources

Last checked: 2026-11-01.