The N1: Ontario's Notice of Rent Increase
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The N1's full title is "Notice of Rent Increase." It is how a landlord tells a tenant, in writing and on time, that the rent is going up. Whether you received one or are about to serve one, the timing and the guideline percentage are the two things that matter most.
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What the N1 is
Open this section ↓The N1 gives written notice of a rent increase. It does not, on its own, require LTB approval, it works for any increase at or below the guideline. An increase above the guideline needs a separate Above Guideline Increase (AGI) application and the Board's approval before it can take effect.
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The 90-day notice
Open this section ↓The LTB's instructions state it plainly: "You must give the tenant the Notice of Rent Increase at least 90 days before the date you will increase the tenant's rent." An N1 served with less notice does not take effect on the date it names.
↑ Close this sectionSome LTB rules changed on September 21, 2026. Check the LTB website for the current version of this form.
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The 12-month rule
Rent can go up once every 12 months at most, counted "if at least 12 months have passed since the date of the last rent increase or since the date the tenant moved in." A second N1 inside that 12-month window is not valid.Open this section ↓Rent can go up once every 12 months at most, counted "if at least 12 months have passed since the date of the last rent increase or since the date the tenant moved in." A second N1 inside that 12-month window is not valid.
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The guideline: 2.1% for 2026, 1.9% for 2027
Ontario publishes an annual guideline rent increase, the most a landlord can charge without the Board's approval: 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027.Open this section ↓Ontario publishes an annual guideline rent increase, the most a landlord can charge without the Board's approval: 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. It applies to units first occupied before November 15, 2018; units built after that date are exempt from rent control entirely.
An increase above the guideline is only valid with an Above Guideline Increase (AGI) application approved by the LTB, not by the landlord's choice alone.
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Common mistakes
Serving fewer than 90 days’ notice: the LTB’s own warning is direct, "If you do not complete the form properly, your notice may not be valid and you may have to start over."Open this section ↓- ✗Serving fewer than 90 days’ notice: the LTB’s own warning is direct, "If you do not complete the form properly, your notice may not be valid and you may have to start over."
- ✗Raising rent twice within 12 months of the last increase or the tenant’s move-in date
- ✗Charging above the guideline without an approved AGI application
- ✗Assuming a unit is rent-controlled when it was first occupied on or after November 15, 2018
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Where to get it
Download the current N1 and its official instructions from the LTB forms page on tribunalsontario.ca.Open this section ↓Download the current N1 and its official instructions from the LTB forms page on tribunalsontario.ca.
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Common Questions
Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionWhat is an N1 form?
The N1 is Ontario’s "Notice of Rent Increase." A landlord uses it to tell a tenant, in writing, that rent is going up and by how much, and to give the required notice period before the increase takes effect.
How much notice does a landlord have to give?
At least 90 days. The LTB’s instructions state: "You must give the tenant the Notice of Rent Increase at least 90 days before the date you will increase the tenant’s rent."
How often can a landlord raise the rent?
Once every 12 months at most, measured "if at least 12 months have passed since the date of the last rent increase or since the date the tenant moved in," whichever applies.
What is the rent increase guideline for 2026 and 2027?
Ontario’s guideline is 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. A landlord can increase rent above the guideline only with the Landlord and Tenant Board’s approval of an Above Guideline Increase (AGI) application.
Where to go from here
Guidepost is not a law firm, and this is general information, not legal advice. For advice on a specific tenancy, contact the Landlord and Tenant Board or a legal clinic. Full disclaimer. Source: tribunalsontario.ca (LTB). Facts checked October 2026.