Ontario's 2027 rent guideline is 1.9% — what it means for you
The province set the 2027 rent-increase guideline at 1.9%. Here's who it covers, the big exemption most renters miss, and how to think about staying versus buying at today's numbers.
Ontario has set the 2027 rent-increase guideline at 1.9% — the maximum most landlords can raise rent on an existing tenancy next year without applying for more. It's a modest number, but the details are where renters get caught out.
Who the guideline actually covers
- It applies to most existing tenancies in rent-controlled units: your landlord can raise the rent by up to the guideline once in a 12-month period, with proper written notice.
- The notice rules still apply — generally 90 days' written notice on the right form, and no increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy.
The exemption most renters miss
Ontario's rent control does not apply to units first occupied after November 15, 2018. If you're in a newer building, the guideline is not a cap — your landlord can raise the rent by more, subject to notice. Knowing which category your unit falls into is the single most important thing here, and it often comes down to the building's age and occupancy history.
Guideline increase vs. the buy question
A capped increase is one of the better arguments for staying put — but a soft sale market is making more renters re-run the math. The honest comparison isn't "rent vs. mortgage," it's total cost of renting (with the guideline increase baked in) against the full carrying cost of owning, condo fees and property tax included.
Our sister site Metrestick runs that comparison on official data — a full rent-vs-buy calculator plus cost-of-living and affordability tools — so you can put real numbers on the decision instead of vibes.
Before you decide either way
- Confirm whether your unit is rent-controlled (pre- or post-Nov 15, 2018).
- If you're weighing a purchase, vet the specific building's record, not just its price.
Check any address
If you're eyeing a move, pull the building's permit history and orders & violations, or the full property snapshot, and size the rent-vs-buy math with Metrestick's calculators at metrestick.ca. Always confirm the current guideline and notice rules on the Province of Ontario's official page, since the figure resets each year.