Ontario Form N1: Rent Increase Notice
Find out who uses this form, what to fill in and when to send it.
Form N1 tells a tenant their rent will increase in a rent-controlled Ontario rental. Most landlords must give at least 90 days’ written notice, wait at least 12 months since the tenancy started or the last increase, and stay within the guideline unless a lawful LTB-approved increase applies.
This is a plain-language guide, not a substitute for the official Tribunals Ontario form. Complete the government PDF to give an actual notice.
When is N1 the right form?
Use N1 for an ordinary rent increase in a unit covered by Ontario rent controls. A landlord generally cannot raise this rent above the annual provincial guideline without an eligible LTB order or agreement under the specific legal process. 2026: 2.1%. 2027: 1.9%. Use the guideline for the year the increase begins.
Choose a different form if: the unit is exempt from the guideline (usually N2); it is a care-home unit subject to the rent guideline (N3); or the landlord and tenant agreed to a qualifying above-guideline increase for capital work or services (N10).
Calculate the new rent
Start with the lawful current rent, multiply by the relevant guideline, then add the increase. Check for lawful exceptions or an LTB-approved above-guideline increase before entering any higher percentage. Do not assume a general maintenance project permits extra rent automatically.
Monthly rent is $1,800. The 2027 guideline is 1.9%: $1,800 × 0.019 = $34.20. New monthly rent: $1,834.20. The landlord must also have waited at least 12 months and served the N1 at least 90 days before June 1.
Complete Form N1, section by section
- To / From: list the tenant(s), landlord(s) and the landlord’s mailing address. Identify the complete rental-unit address, including suite number.
- Your new rent: put the exact effective date, new amount in dollars and cents, and frequency (such as monthly).
- Explanation: show the dollar increase and percentage. Check the correct box for guideline increase, an approved above-guideline order, or a pending eligible LTB application.
- Signature: landlord or authorized representative signs, dates, and provides contact details. Keep the completed notice.
Serve it correctly
Allowed methods described by the LTB include personal delivery, mailbox delivery, slipping the notice under the door, mail, courier and specified fax service. Do not tape or post an N1 on the tenant’s door. Mailing or courier delivery may add time before legal service is complete; calculate from the effective delivery date.
What happens next?
A valid N1 is a notice to the tenant, not an application filed with the LTB. The tenant can check the rent and dates; an unlawful increase can be challenged through the proper LTB process. When an above-guideline application is pending, different payment options can apply until the Board decides.
Common mistake to avoid
A 90-day notice does not override the 12-month restriction; both rules matter.