Based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), the guideline on rent increases for 2022 in Ontario is 1.2 per cent. The guideline applies to most residential rental accommodations covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. It does not apply to rental units in buildings occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, social housing units, long-term care homes or commercial property.

The rent increase guideline is the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant's rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). It is applicable to most rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

Landlords may only raise rent if they gave tenants at least 90 days written notice using the correct form. In most cases, the rent increase cannot be more than the rent increase guideline. In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase. If a tenant believes they have received an improper rent increase, they may dispute it at the LTB within 12 months.

Due to the pandemic, and to support tenants, Ontario froze rent for the vast majority of tenants in 2021, so the 2021 rent increase guideline was set at 0 per cent.

Additional information on the 2022 rent increase guideline can be found on the provincial bulletin, as well as under TRREB’s Government Programs section.