Ontario landlord guide

Deposit limits, entry notice, termination notice and rent increase rules for Ontario, with the sources they come from.

Ontario landlord-tenant rules at a glance

Security deposit limit
Rent deposit up to 1 month's rent; damage deposits are not allowed
Deposit return / claim rule
Only a rent deposit of up to one rental period is permitted. Damage and security deposits are not permitted; do not generate a security-deposit clause.
Deposit interest
Required yearly at the rent increase guideline rate in effect when it is paid (1.9% for 2027, 2.1% for 2026)
Notice before entry
24 hours' written notice; entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Ending a month-to-month
Tenant 60 days to end of a rental period; landlord's notice varies
Notice before a rent increase
90 days' written notice on Form N1; once every 12 months
Late fees
Late fees not permitted; NSF charge plus up to $20 admin per cheque
Rent control
Guideline 1.9% for 2027 (2.1% for 2026); units first occupied after Nov 15, 2018 exempt

General information from the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, last reviewed 2026-09-29. Not legal advice; municipal bylaws can add requirements.

Create an Ontario lease agreement

RentMouse builds a residential lease agreement from guided questions and shows the Ontario rules beside the decisions they affect, then sends it for electronic signature. Track rent, repairs and tenants in the same free landlord workspace. Online lease agreements · Rent tracking · Start free

Cities in Ontario

All city guides