Your landlord in Ontario can raise a $1,800 rent by $37.80 at most in 2026, to $1,837.80, because the yearly guideline is 2.1%. British Columbia allows 2.3% and Manitoba 1.8%. Alberta has no percentage limit at all, which the rent increase calculator will show you side by side.
What can landlords ask for in each province?
Every province decides for itself whether rent is capped and how much notice a tenant gets, and the table lists five of them using the figures in the calculator. Yours may differ, and a lease or a special exemption can change the outcome, so read any notice you get slowly.
| Province | 2026 limit | Notice | Next change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 2.1% guideline | 3 months | 1.9% from 2027-01-01 |
| British Columbia | 2.3% cap | 3 months | 2.2% from 2027-01-01 |
| Manitoba | 1.8% guideline | 3 months | 3% from 2027-01-01 |
| Alberta | No percentage limit | 3 months | None |
| Quebec | No fixed percentage | Set by the housing tribunal on request | None |
What if my landlord asks for 5%?
Say you pay $1,800 a month in Ontario and the letter asks for 5% more, which would be $1,890. The calculator flags the request as above the 2.1% limit, unless an exemption applies, and shows the highest new rent as $1,837.80. The most anyone can ask you to add is $37.80 a month, and that’s the figure to hold on to.
The same request in British Columbia is capped at $1,841.40, or $41.40 more. In Manitoba the cap is $1,832.40, or $32.40 more. Alberta is different. No percentage rule blocks a 5% request there, so the new rent would be $1,890, with three months of notice.
Timing matters as much as the percentage. In Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta at least 12 months have to pass between increases, so the date of the last one counts.
Are any rentals exempt from the cap?
Some are, and that’s the first thing to check. In Ontario, units first occupied for residential use after 2018-11-15 fall outside the guideline. That covers most new buildings and many new basement apartments. Community housing and long-term care don’t fall under it either. Manitoba exempts rent of $1,670 or more a month in 2026, and that threshold rises to $2,000 from 2027.
Quebec works differently. There’s no single percentage. The tribunal sets rent on request, from a set of components tied to the unit. The calculator shows the published figures but can’t decide your case, and we haven’t confirmed the notice period for Quebec here. In some provinces a landlord can also apply to go above a cap. And this tool covers rent only, not extra charges for parking or utilities.
How do I plan for a higher rent?
A rise is easier to take when you know your budget. See what share of your income rent takes with the rent affordability calculator. If it keeps climbing, the rent vs buy calculator compares the cost of owning. To turn a rent change into a percentage, or to test other amounts, the percentage calculator does the arithmetic. The budget calculator shows where the change lands in your month.
Where do the limits come from?
They’re taken from each province’s residential tenancy pages, read on 2026-09-29. The calculator lists its source next to the province you pick. In our review some provinces, notably Quebec and a few territories, rated lower on confidence, so check with your provincial tenancy office before you answer a notice. This website has no link with any government body.
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Ontario in 2026?
By 2.1%. On $1,800 a month that's $37.80, for a new rent of $1,837.80. The guideline drops to 1.9% from 2027-01-01.
How much notice does a landlord have to give?
Three months in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta. Other places differ, so pick your province in the calculator.
How often can my rent go up?
In Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta, at least 12 months must pass between increases.
Is there a cap on rent increases in Alberta?
No. Alberta has no limit on the amount, but it requires notice and no increase during a fixed term.
Do new buildings have to follow the cap?
Not always. In Ontario, units first occupied after 2018-11-15 are exempt from the guideline.
Sources and updates
Updated: . How we check rates · Editorial team · Updates
Estimate only. These figures are a planning estimate, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns, and we don't offer tax, legal or accounting services. We have no connection with the Canada Revenue Agency, Revenu Québec or any provincial government. Your real amounts depend on details this tool cannot see, so confirm them with an official source or a qualified professional before you act.