Ontario has some of the strongest tenant protections in Canada. The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) governs nearly every aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship — from how much your rent can increase to the exact form your landlord must use to evict you. This guide covers everything Ontario tenants need to know in plain language.
The Residential Tenancies Act and the LTB
The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 is the legislation that protects most Ontario tenants. It covers apartments, houses, condominiums, and basement units. Exemptions include university/college residences, co-op housing, and commercial tenancies.
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is the tribunal that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants. Both landlords and tenants can file applications. Decisions are legally binding and, in some cases, enforceable by the sheriff.
Rent Increases in Ontario
The Annual Guideline
Ontario limits rent increases to a provincial guideline set each year. The 2026 guideline is 2.5%.
Key rules:
- A landlord can only increase rent once every 12 months
- The landlord must give you at least 90 days written notice using Form N1
- The increase cannot exceed the guideline without LTB approval
Above-Guideline Increases (AGI)
A landlord can apply to the LTB for an above-guideline increase if they have made extraordinary capital expenditures (major renovations, new roofs, new boilers) or experienced significant increases in municipal taxes. If the LTB approves an AGI, the increase is applied to all units in the building.
You have the right to dispute an AGI application. The LTB will schedule a hearing where you can present evidence.
Units Exempt from Rent Control
Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the rent increase guideline. Landlords of these units can increase rent by any amount with 90 days notice. This exemption is controversial and widely criticized — check when your building was built before assuming you have rent control.
Landlord’s Right to Enter Your Unit
Under the RTA, your landlord cannot enter your unit without following the rules:
| Situation | Notice Required |
|---|---|
| Repairs or maintenance | 24 hours written notice |
| Showing unit to prospective tenants/buyers | 24 hours written notice |
| Inspection | 24 hours written notice |
| Emergency (fire, flood, burst pipe) | No notice needed |
| With your consent | No notice needed |
Entry can only occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday entry is not permitted unless you agree.
If your landlord enters without proper notice repeatedly, you can file a T2 application (Tenant Rights) with the LTB.
Your Right to a Maintained Unit
Section 20 of the RTA requires your landlord to keep the unit and building in good repair and comply with all health, safety, and housing standards. This obligation exists regardless of whether you knew about problems when you moved in.
Common maintenance issues landlords must address:
- Heat: units must be kept at a minimum of 21°C between September 1 and June 15
- Pest control: landlords are responsible for extermination
- Plumbing, electrical, and structural integrity
- Common areas (hallways, elevators, parking)
What to Do If Your Landlord Won’t Make Repairs
- Put the request in writing (email or text) and keep copies
- Contact your municipality — bylaw officers can inspect and issue work orders
- File a T6 application with the LTB for a maintenance order and potential rent abatement
- In extreme cases, call 311 (in Toronto) or your local bylaw department
Eviction Notices in Ontario
A landlord cannot evict you without following a specific legal process. There is no such thing as a verbal eviction notice.
Common N-Forms Used to Evict Tenants
| Form | Reason | Notice Period |
|---|---|---|
| N4 | Non-payment of rent | 14 days (monthly) / 7 days (weekly/daily) |
| N5 | Interfering with others, damage, overcrowding | 20 days (first notice); 14 days if second |
| N6 | Illegal act | 10 days |
| N7 | Seriously impairs safety | 10 days |
| N8 | Persistent late payment | 60 days |
| N11 | Agreement to end tenancy (mutual) | Date agreed upon |
| N12 | Landlord/family member moving in | 60 days |
| N13 | Demolition, renovation, or conversion | 120 days |
The Eviction Process
- Landlord serves the correct N-form notice
- You can void an N4 by paying the full amount owed before the notice expires (first time only)
- If you don’t vacate, the landlord must apply to the LTB for an eviction order (Form L1 or L2)
- The LTB schedules a hearing — you can attend and contest the eviction
- If the LTB issues an eviction order and you don’t leave, the landlord must hire the sheriff to enforce it — your landlord cannot remove you, change the locks, or remove your belongings themselves
Special Protections: N12 Own-Use Evictions
If you receive an N12 (landlord or family moving in), you are entitled to one month’s free rent as compensation. The person moving in must genuinely move in within a reasonable time. If they don’t (i.e., the landlord re-rents immediately at a higher price), you can file an application for bad-faith eviction.
Last Month’s Rent Deposit
In Ontario, landlords can collect a last month’s rent deposit (LMR). Key rules:
- Maximum: one month’s rent (or one week’s for weekly tenancies)
- The deposit earns interest each year, equal to the rent increase guideline for that year
- It must be applied to your last month — it cannot be used for damages
- Landlords cannot collect a separate damage deposit or security deposit in Ontario
Domestic Violence: Early Lease Termination
If you are a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, Ontario law allows you to terminate a fixed-term lease early with 28 days notice without penalty. You are not required to explain your reason in detail to the landlord. You file a Form N15 to exercise this right.
Filing an Application With the LTB
Most tenant applications cost $53 and can be filed online at the LTB e-File portal or in person at a ServiceOntario location. Common applications:
| Application | Purpose |
|---|---|
| T2 | Tenant’s rights violated (illegal entry, harassment, lockout) |
| T6 | Maintenance and repair |
| T1 | Landlord failed to return LMR interest |
| A1 | Unlawful rent (over guideline) |
The LTB has faced significant backlash in recent years due to multi-year hearing backlogs. Filing quickly matters if you want resolution within a reasonable timeframe.
Key Takeaways
- Ontario’s 2026 rent increase guideline is 2.5% — your landlord must give 90 days written notice
- Landlords need LTB approval to evict you — a notice form alone does not end your tenancy
- Your landlord must maintain the unit and common areas regardless of what your lease says
- Last month’s rent deposits earn interest annually; separate damage deposits are illegal
- If your rights are violated, file with the Landlord and Tenant Board — the filing fee is $53
For province-wide rent increase rules, see our rent increase rules by province guide. If you’re thinking about leaving early, read our guide on how to break a lease early in Canada. For full financial guidance on renting, visit our renting hub.