RentTrust · this week

Renting in Canada is a lot.

Deposits held past 15 days. Rent hikes that don’t add up. A landlord who suddenly needs the place “for family.” A neighbourhood you can’t tell from photos.

RentTrust reads provincial law, tribunal decisions, and what other renters in your spot did. We don’t take referrals from landlords. We don’t sell anything. We just answer the question.

Below are this week’s top renter questions — the rent-fairness ones, the eviction ones, the what-is-it-like-to-live-in-X ones. Click any to read the full answer, or ask your own at the bottom.

Filter by topic
Rent fairness

My Toronto landlord wants to raise rent 8%. Is that legal?

No, not for a unit first occupied before Nov 15, 2018. Ontario rent guideline for 2026 is 2.5%. Anything above that requires LTB approval — and the landlord has to apply, not you. If they raise it without LTB approval, you can refuse to pay the excess and dispute via N1 form.

What your landlord didn’t say:Some landlords rely on tenants not knowing the cap. The increase has to be served on form N1 with 90 days notice. No N1 = no valid increase. If the unit was first occupied AFTER Nov 15, 2018 (newer builds), it is exempt — that is the one big loophole.
Open in chat & ask follow-up →Read on its own page
Deposits

My BC landlord won't return my $1,200 damage deposit. What now?

BC landlords have 15 days from end-of-tenancy (or your forwarding-address date, whichever is later) to either return the deposit or file a Residential Tenancy Branch claim against it. Miss that window and they owe you DOUBLE the deposit by statute. File RTB-12 to claim it back.

What your landlord didn’t say:Landlords often hold deposits past 15 days hoping you will not bother. The doubling provision (Section 38, RTA) is statutory — they cannot negotiate it down. RTB filing fee is $100; the threat of doubling usually triggers a settlement before hearing.
Open in chat & ask follow-up →Read on its own page
Evictions

My Ontario landlord served me an N12 — they want to move family in. Is this real?

It can be real, but N12 requires the landlord (or named family member) to genuinely intend to occupy the unit for at least 12 months, plus 1 month rent compensation paid before the termination date. If they relist or rent to someone else within 12 months, you can file T5 for bad-faith eviction — penalty up to 12 months rent plus moving costs.

What your landlord didn’t say:A surge of "renoviction" and "personal use" evictions in Ontario 2024–2026 turned out to be illegitimate. The LTB now scrutinises N12s heavily. Ask for the landlord's sworn declaration (LTB form 1A) and check their property holdings — multiple-property landlords claiming personal use get caught.
Open in chat & ask follow-up →Read on its own page
Rent fairness

What's a fair rent for a 1BR in Kits or Point Grey?

Kitsilano 1BR median asking rent runs $2,400–$2,650 in 2026; Point Grey is similar to slightly higher ($2,500–$2,800). Below $2,200 is below-market and worth grabbing fast. Above $2,900 is overpriced unless it has parking + in-suite laundry + AC.

What your landlord didn’t say:Listing platforms inflate the median by leaving expired listings active and weighting toward newer units. Real-occupied data (rent payments going through) sits 8–12% below listing medians. Use the listing as a ceiling, then ask the landlord what the previous tenant paid.
Open in chat & ask follow-up →Read on its own page
Lease basics

My building was just sold. Does my lease survive?

Yes — leases run with the land in every Canadian province. The new landlord steps into the old landlord's shoes. Your rent, term, deposit, and renewal rights all carry over unchanged. They cannot ask you to sign a new lease at a higher rate just because ownership changed.

What your landlord didn’t say:New owners sometimes try to use the sale as a pretext for "lease renegotiation" or buyout offers — neither is required. Your existing lease is legally binding on them from day one. If they push, point them to your provincial RTA section on assignment of leases.
Open in chat & ask follow-up →Read on its own page
Lease basics

Can I sublet my apartment without telling my landlord?

No, in every province. You must give the landlord written notice and they have to respond — but they cannot refuse unreasonably. ON: 7-day response window, refusal must be in writing with reasons. BC: similar consent-not-unreasonably-withheld rule. AB: depends on lease terms but consent still required.

What your landlord didn’t say:Sublet refusals are often unenforceable. "I just don't want subletters" is not a reasonable ground in any provincial RTA. Document your written request, the landlord's response (or 14-day silence = deemed consent in some provinces), and proceed. If they evict over a properly-noticed sublet, you have a strong tribunal case.
Open in chat & ask follow-up →Read on its own page

Ask your own question.

Anything about your lease, your deposit, a notice you received, a building you’re considering, or what a neighbourhood is actually like. We’ll point you to the relevant statute or tribunal pattern, and tell you when to talk to a paralegal instead.

Free. No signup.

Press the button to send · Cmd/Ctrl + Enter on desktop

PropTrust is a Canadian property data platform. We are not a lender, broker, real estate agent, landlord, or paid advisor. This is information about how the rules work — not advice on your specific situation. For that, talk to a licensed professional.