Each province has its own tenancy law and its own board or tribunal. The table sums up the rules renters ask about most, as they stood on October 29, 2026. Rules for a landlord moving in, and for evictions, have exceptions and forms of their own, so read your province’s source before you act. Deposits are covered in the rental deposits guide, and Ontario’s notice rules in detail in the Ontario notice date calculator.
| Province | 2026 rent increase limit | Notice of an increase | Landlord or family moving in | Unpaid rent | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 2.1% (1.9% in 2027); units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt | 90 days, written | 60 days; no compensation if 120 days or more | 7-day notice | 24 hours written, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| British Columbia | 2.3% (2.2% in 2027) | 3 full months, form RTB-7 | 3 months | 10-day notice | 24 hours written, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Alberta | No limit; once a year | 3 tenancy months (monthly rent) | 3 tenancy months | 14-day notice | 24 hours written, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Quebec | No fixed rate; if you refuse, the tribunal sets the rent (2026 base 3.1%) | 3 to 6 months before a 12-month lease ends | 6 months before the lease ends | Landlord can apply after 3 weeks late | 24 hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Manitoba | 1.8% (3.0% in 2027); units at $2,000 a month or more are exempt | 3 months, written | 3 to 5 months, by vacancy rate | Notice once 3 days late | 24 hours to 2 weeks, written |
| Saskatchewan | No limit; first increase after 18 months | 12 months, written | 2 months | Notice once 15 days late | 24 hours to 7 days written, 4-hour window |
| Nova Scotia | 5% cap until December 31, 2027 (not for a new tenant) | 4 months | No such ground found; a buyer: 2 months | Notice once 3 days late; 10 days to pay | 24 hours written, daylight hours |
| New Brunswick | 3% cap | 6 months | 1 month (monthly), 3 months (yearly) | 15-day notice | 24 hours; 7 days for routine repairs |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | No limit; once a year | 6 months | Landlord can end a monthly tenancy on 3 months’ notice | 10-day notice once 5 days late | 24 hours written |
| Prince Edward Island | 2% (2.1% in 2027) | 3 months, Form 8 | 4 months | 20-day notice | 24 hours written |
Sources: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Tribunal administratif du logement, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island.
Do not withhold rent
In every province, rent is due even if the landlord is not doing what they should, and a tenant who withholds it can be evicted. The exceptions are narrow: in British Columbia and Quebec, a tenant who pays for an urgent repair the landlord refuses to repay can deduct it from rent; in Alberta, rent can be held back until the landlord gives you a copy of the signed lease; and elsewhere, rent goes to the board only when it orders that.
Getting repairs done
Landlords must keep the unit in good repair and fit to live in, even if you knew about a problem when you moved in. Ask in writing first and keep a copy. If nothing happens, apply to your board or tribunal: in Ontario with form T6 to the Landlord and Tenant Board, which can order the work, reduce the rent and award up to $50,000; in Quebec to the Tribunal administratif du logement; in British Columbia through the Residential Tenancy Branch’s dispute resolution. Most boards can lower your rent while a problem goes unfixed.
Evictions go through the board
A notice from your landlord does not end your tenancy by itself if you dispute it: in Ontario, the landlord must get an eviction order from the Landlord and Tenant Board, and other provinces have similar hearings. Read the notice for the date and the deadline to dispute it, and call your board’s information line if unsure. If a landlord or family member is moving in, rules often require them to actually live there for a set time, and some provinces make the landlord pay compensation.
Plan the numbers
Check a proposed increase with the rent increase calculator, see what you can afford with the rent affordability calculator, and look up the tax credits for renters with the rent and property tax credits calculator. When you leave, the ending a lease guide explains notice periods.
Try the rent increase calculator →
Official source
Government of Ontario · Renting in Ontario: your rights
This guide explains general rules. Confirm your figures with your lender, lawyer, or the official source before you act.