What applies to every landlord in Canada
Almost nothing at the federal level. Rent increases, evictions, deposits and tribunals are all provincial, and the provinces differ more than US states do. Three federal items still reach every landlord; after that, your province is the rulebook.
How much each layer decides here
Federal: Privacy, tax, human rights (narrow)
Province: Rent increases, evictions, deposits, tribunals
City: Licensing and standards in a few cities
Bar length is the share of a typical landlord's obligations set at that level. The picture is the inverse of the US.
Three federal items, then it's provincial
Canada has no federal tenancy law. These are the only obligations that apply from coast to coast.
Privacy in tenant screening
OPC · PIPEDACollect only what you need to assess the tenancy, tell applicants what you'll do with it, and destroy it when it's no longer needed. Credit checks require consent.
Applies to: All landlords, under PIPEDA or the substantially similar provincial acts in BC, Alberta and Quebec.
Underused Housing Tax return
CRAAn annual return and, for some owners, a 1% tax on vacant or underused residential property. Most Canadian citizens and permanent residents are now exempt from filing, but corporations, partnerships and trusts may not be.
Applies to: Affected owners on December 31 each year; return due April 30.
Non-resident rental withholding
CRA · Part XIIIIf the owner lives outside Canada, 25% of gross rent is withheld and remitted monthly unless an NR6 election is approved. The tenant or agent is liable if it isn't.
Applies to: Any landlord who is a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes.
Find your province or territory
The rules that differ most across provinces, side by side. Click a row for that province's hub.
| Province | Rent increase limit | Just cause to end tenancy | Deposit | Return deadline | City rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No matches. | |||||
Quebec's Tribunal administratif du logement and Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board work very differently; the provincial hubs explain the process, not just the numbers.
Federal changes
Substantive changes at the national level. Most change happens one level down.
No federal changes to show right now.
Provinces differ; your setup shouldn't
One account, each province's rules
Add a Toronto duplex and a Vancouver condo and Platuni applies the RTA that fits each, with the right tribunal forms and deadlines.
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