Landlord rights in Ontario: what property owners need to know
In Ontario, landlord rights are defined under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, with strict rules on rent increases, evictions, deposits, and enforcement through the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).This guide covers Ontario tenancy law only. For other provinces, see our [rental laws guides].
Ontario landlords operate under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. The Act sets out what you can and cannot do as a landlord, and knowing your rights makes it easier to manage your property and resolve issues when they arise.
Your Right to Receive Rent on Time
You have the right to receive rent on the date set out in the tenancy agreement. If a tenant does not pay, you can serve an N4 notice. Under Bill 60, passed November 24, 2025, an N4 can be issued after just seven days of unpaid rent, down from 14 days. If the tenant does not pay or vacate, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an eviction order.
Your Right to Enter the Rental Unit
You may enter the unit with at least 24 hours' written notice for inspections, repairs, or showings. Entry must take place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Emergencies allow entry without notice.
Your Right to Increase Rent
You can raise the rent once every 12 months, provided you give at least 90 days' written notice using LTB Form N1. The rent increase guideline for 2026 is 2.1%, according to the Ontario government. Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from this cap, meaning no guideline limit applies to those units.
If you need to increase rent beyond the guideline, you can apply to the LTB for an Above-Guideline Increase (AGI). Permitted reasons include extraordinary increases in municipal taxes, capital expenditures, or operating costs.
Your Right to Evict for Valid Reasons
You can apply to the LTB to evict a tenant for valid reasons, including non-payment of rent, causing damage, illegal activity, or requiring the unit for your own use. Eviction requires the correct notice form, a hearing, and a formal LTB order before any enforcement can take place.
Your Right to Collect a Last Month's Rent Deposit
You may collect a last month's rent deposit of up to one month's rent. This deposit must be used for the tenant's final month of rent and cannot be applied to damages. You are required to pay the tenant annual interest on this deposit at the same rate as the rent increase guideline. Note: damage deposits are prohibited in Ontario.
How to Resolve a Dispute
The LTB handles landlord and tenant disputes in Ontario. Applications can be filed online. Given known processing backlogs, filing as soon as an issue arises is advisable.
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