Renting in Ontario: rights, rent increases and average rents

Who handles landlord-tenant disputes in Ontario, how rent increases work, what rents cost and which programs help.

Who to contact

Residential tenancies in Ontario are handled by the Landlord and Tenant Board. It explains the rules, provides the official forms and settles disputes between landlords and tenants. Official site ↗

Rent increases

The rent increase guideline for 2027 is 1.9% (the guideline is capped at 2.5%). In most cases rent can be increased only once every 12 months, with written notice on the official form.

Exceptions and details

Units in new buildings, additions and most new basement apartments first occupied after November 15, 2018 are not subject to the guideline: there is no limit on the amount, but rent can still go up only once every 12 months with 90 days' written notice.
Between tenants, the landlord and the new tenant agree on the rent: the guideline does not apply to a vacant unit.
To go above the guideline, a landlord must get approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board (for example for major repairs or large tax increases); a tenant can agree to at most 3% above the guideline in exchange for improvements.

Source: official rent increase page ↗, read on 2026-11-13.

Average rents by city (2025)

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3 bedrooms
Toronto	$1,491	$1,761	$2,045	$2,294
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo	$1,255	$1,546	$1,816	$1,861
Guelph	$1,331	$1,627	$1,803	$2,099
Saugeen Shores	–	$1,177	$1,790	$1,828
Kincardine	–	–	$1,767	–
Kingston	$1,198	$1,503	$1,763	$2,593
Oshawa	$1,334	$1,586	$1,762	$2,131
Ottawa-Gatineau	$1,295	$1,542	$1,757	$1,919
Barrie	$1,111	$1,583	$1,749	$1,953
The Nation	–	$1,062	$1,692	–
Stratford	$1,074	$1,508	$1,663	$1,776
Hamilton	$1,078	$1,402	$1,659	$1,866
London	$1,066	$1,371	$1,645	$1,872
Woodstock	–	$1,409	$1,645	$1,604
Collingwood	–	$1,418	$1,634	–
Cobourg	–	$1,320	$1,610	$1,885
Brantford	$1,204	$1,448	$1,604	$1,618
Kawartha Lakes	–	$1,311	$1,591	–
Port Hope	–	$1,536	$1,588	–
Huntsville	–	$1,514	$1,581	–
Centre Wellington	–	$1,298	$1,562	$1,637
Grand Sudbury	$904	$1,244	$1,555	$1,839
Gravenhurst	–	$1,269	$1,555	$2,386
Orillia	$923	$1,475	$1,553	$1,648
Midland	–	$1,290	$1,541	–

Average rent of occupied units in CMHC's survey (Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0133-01). Asking rents for vacant units are usually higher. All cities →

Help paying rent

The Canada Housing Benefit is delivered by each province and territory, and people with low income may also qualify for social assistance shelter amounts. All programs →

Before you sign

Get the lease in writing and keep a copy.
Ask what is included: heat, electricity, water, parking, internet.
Photograph the unit on move-in day and note existing damage.
Check what deposit is allowed in this province before paying one.
Buy tenant insurance: the landlord's policy does not cover your belongings.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Figures show their source and the date they were read; confirm with the official body before making a decision.