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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alberta province guides | · No | · Some · periodic only | · Yes · 1 month | 10 days · final acct 30 days | · No · provincial only |
British Columbia province guides | · Yes · 2.3% (2026) | · Yes · statutory grounds | · Yes · ½ month + ½ month pet | 15 days · refund or claim | · No · provincial only |
Manitoba province guides | · Yes · 1.8% (2026) | · Yes · statutory grounds | · Yes · ½ month · pet ≤ 1 month | 14 days · claim within 28 | · No · provincial · no municipal power |
New Brunswick province guides | · Yes · 3% · officer may allow up to 9% | · Some · periodic; fixed term expires | · Yes · 1 month · 1 week if weekly | Refund-or-claim · 7 days | · No · provincial only |
Newfoundland and Labrador province guides | · No | · No · 3 months' notice (monthly) | · Yes · ¾ month · 2 weeks (weekly) | 10 days · refund or claim | · No · provincial jurisdiction |
Northwest Territories province guides | · No · no cap · once per 12 months | · Yes · rental officer order | · Yes · 1 month · pet ½ month | 10 days · 30/45 with repair estimates | · No · territorial · no municipal power |
Nova Scotia province guides | · Yes · 5% (2026–2027) | · Some · periodic only | · Yes · ½ month | 10 days · refund or claim | · No · provincial only |
Nunavut province guides | · No · no cap · once per 12 months | · Yes · rental officer order | · Yes · 1 month · 1 week if weekly | 10 days · 30 if repair estimate | · No · territorial only |
Ontario province guides | · Yes · 2.1% (2026) · 1.9% (2027) | · Yes · statutory grounds | · Yes · rent deposit ≤ 1 month | Applied to last month's rent | · No · provincial only |
Prince Edward Island province guides | · Yes · 2% (2026) | · Yes · statutory grounds | · Yes · 1 month · 1 week if weekly | 15 days · refund or claim | · No · provincial only |
Quebec province guides | · Some · TAL formula · 3.1% base (2026) | · Yes · right to remain | · Yes · deposits prohibited | n/a · no deposits | · No · provincial only |
Saskatchewan province guides | · No · no provincial cap | · Some · Periodic: grounds · fixed can expire | · Yes · 1 month | 7 business days · refund or claim | · No · provincial only |
Yukon province guides | · Yes · 2.6% (May 2026–May 2027) | · Yes · listed grounds | · Yes · 1 month + ½ month pet | 15 days · refund or apply | · No · territorial jurisdiction |
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.
Mar 2026
Underused Housing Tax ends for 2025 onward
Affected owners no longer file or pay federal UHT for 2025 and later years. Earlier-year obligations remain.
Mar 2026
Faster tax depreciation for eligible new rentals
Eligible new purpose-built residential rentals can use a 10% CCA rate, subject to project and timing conditions.
Mar 2026
GST rental rebate expands to eligible student housing
Federal amendments extend rental-housing GST relief to qualifying student residences built by universities, public colleges and school authorities.
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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