The required amount of notice for raising rent varies between provinces and territories and the kind of lease in place. Landlords must consider their tenant’s lease type, as this will determine how much notice they must provide. For example, a periodic tenancy’s required notice period will vary depending on whether it’s month-to-month or week-to-week.
It’s also best to check the original lease agreement for any details on increasing rent, as agreements may require further rent increase requirements, such as a rent review clause.
Very few provinces have commercial tenancy acts in place. Most Commercial Lease Agreements specify the applicable rules and procedures for rent increases. This means landlords need to look at the original lease to find out how much notice they must provide their commercial tenants.
Canadian provinces and territories have varying acts and regulations for Residential Lease Agreements. The required notice for rent increases are as follows:
| Province or Territory |
Residential Tenancy Notice Period |
| Alberta |
For periodic tenancies, landlords must provide:
- Twelve weeks' notice for a week-to-week tenancy
- Three months' notice for a month-to-month tenancy
- 90 days' notice for other periodic tenancies
No notice is required for a fixed-term lease for a rent increase, as increases can only take place when renewing a fixed-term.
|
| British Columbia |
Landlords must provide three months’ notice before the effective increase date. |
| Manitoba |
Landlords must provide at least three months’ notice before the effective increase date. |
| New Brunswick |
Landlords must provide six months’ notice before the effective increase date. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
Landlords must provide:
- Eight weeks' notice for a week-to-week tenancy
- Six months' notice for a month-to-month or fixed-term tenancy
|
| Northwest Territories |
Landlords must provide at least three months’ notice before the effective increase date. |
| Nova Scotia |
In most cases, Landlords must provide:
- Eight weeks’ notice for week-to-week
- Four months’ notice for year-to-year and month-to-month tenancies
- Fixed-term leases as permitted by the lease
|
| Nunavut |
Landlords must give at least three months’ notice before the effective increase date. |
| Ontario |
Landlords must provide 90 days notice via a form approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board. |
| Prince Edward Island |
Landlords must provide:
- At least three weeks’ notice for a week-to-week tenancy
- At least three months’ notice for a month-to-month or fixed-term tenancy
|
| Québec |
Landlords must provide:
- Three to six months' notice for a twelve-month or more lease
- One and two months' notice for a lease less than twelve months
- One and two months' notice for a lease with an indeterminate term
- And 10 to 20 days' notice for a room being leased
An application for rental increases must be approved by the Tribunal Administratif du Logement if landlord and tenant do not agree on the rent increase.
|
| Saskatchewan |
Landlords must provide at least six months’ notice if they are a member of an association of landlords and twelve months if they are not.
|
| Yukon |
Landlords must provide at least three months’ notice before the effective increase date. |
Some provinces may require landlords to inform their tenancy board or association of their intent to increase rent. Check with your provincial government to determine if you need to inform anyone that you’re increasing your rent.
