Ontario's Rent Freeze Has Ended & Your Landlord Could Raise Your Rent

As Ontario gets colder this winter, your rent prices may get hotter.

Ontario's rent freeze was put in place on October 1, 2020, and officially expired on December 31, 2021.

The rent freeze prohibited landlords from raising their tenants' rates for the last year throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with a rent increase guideline of 0% for 2021.

However, the government of Ontario has revealed to Narcity that this will no longer be the case in 2022.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the municipal affairs and housing minister stated that while the rent freeze ended just a few days ago, "Landlords could give proper 90 days' notice of rent increase prior to the end of the freeze for an increase to take effect starting in 2022."

However, just because the rent freeze is no more doesn't mean that everyone across the province will see a massive spike in their monthly payments.

"Rent increases are not automatic or mandatory. Landlords may only raise rent if they have provided proper written notice at least 90 days in advance, and if 12 months have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase."

The rent increase guideline for 2022 will be 1.2%, according to the government.

This is the smallest rent increase that the province has seen since 2014 (not counting the 2021 rent freeze). Back in 2020, the rent increase across the province was set at 2.2%. For 2019 and 2018, it was set at 1.8%. However, back in 2014, it was set at just 0.8%.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.