In London, Ontario, landlords generally cannot raise your rent by more than the annual provincial guideline (often around 2.5%) without official Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) approval. If you receive an illegal increase, you can refuse it or file a Form T4 to get your money back, and the filing fee is currently $48 CAD online.
Renting an apartment in London, near Western University or downtown, can be expensive, and receiving a notice of a rent increase only adds to the financial stress. Fortunately, Ontario has strict rent control laws under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). 🔍 These laws protect most tenants from sudden, massive spikes in their monthly housing costs by capping the percentage a landlord can demand each year.
However, landlords sometimes attempt to bypass these rules by handing tenants informal letters or verbally demanding more money. Generally, if you simply agree and pay the illegal amount for a year, it legally becomes your new lawful rent. Knowing how to verify the increase and formally dispute it through the proper channels is essential for protecting your rights and your wallet.
Step-by-Step Process in London
Disputing a rent increase requires understanding your specific building’s status and following the LTB’s strict administrative procedures. 🏛 Here is how most tenants in London successfully handle an improper rent demand from their landlord.
Step 1: Check Your Rent Control Exemption Status
Before you dispute anything, you must determine if your unit is actually rent-controlled. In Ontario, if the residential building, basement apartment, or specific unit was first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, it is completely exempt from rent control. In these newer buildings, the landlord can legally raise the rent by any amount they choose.
Step 2: Review the Notice Carefully
If your building is older than November 2018, any rent increase must follow strict rules. 📄 The landlord must use an official Form N1 (Notice of Rent Increase) provided by the LTB. They must also give you a full 90 days of written notice before the increase takes effect. If they just send a text message or give you 30 days’ notice, the increase is legally void.
Step 3: Continue Paying Your Lawful Rent
If the notice is illegal—either because the percentage is too high or the form is wrong—you do not have to move out. Most housing advocates recommend that you simply continue paying your previous, lawful rent amount. You should write a polite email to your landlord explaining that the notice does not comply with the RTA.
Step 4: File a Form T4 with the LTB
If you already paid the illegal rent because you were scared of eviction, you can still get your money back. ✍ You have up to one year to file a Form T4 (Tenant Application about Rent) with the Landlord and Tenant Board. The LTB can order the landlord to refund the overpayment and revert your rent to the legal amount.
How Much Does it Cost in London?
Fighting an illegal rent increase is designed to be affordable for the average tenant. As of April 2026, here are the costs associated with disputing your landlord at the LTB:
- LTB Filing Fee: Filing your Form T4 costs $48 CAD if you submit it through the Tribunals Ontario Portal, or $53 CAD if you file a paper copy. If you win, the adjudicator typically orders the landlord to refund this fee.
- Paralegal Fees: You are not required to have legal representation, but if you hire a licensed paralegal to handle your hearing, expect to pay a flat fee between $500 and $1,200 CAD.
- Community Legal Clinics: Low-income residents in London can often get free advice or representation from Neighbourhood Legal Services on Richmond Street.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online T4 Filing | $48 | Standard fee for the Tribunals Ontario Portal. |
| Paralegal Consultation | $150 – $300 | For an initial review of your rent history. |
| Overpayment Refund | Varies | Money returned to you if the LTB rules in your favour. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
If you simply refuse to pay the illegal amount, the result is immediate—you just keep your money. ⏳ However, if you file a Form T4 to recover money you already paid, you must be patient. Due to massive backlogs at the LTB, it generally takes between 4 to 8 months to get a virtual hearing date and receive a final legal order.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can my landlord evict me for refusing to pay the illegal increase?
No. If the increase is truly illegal, the landlord cannot evict you for refusing it. If they try to serve you with an N4 (Notice to End your Tenancy for Non-payment of Rent), the LTB will dismiss their eviction application once you prove the demanded rent was unlawful.
What is an Above Guideline Increase (AGI)?
An AGI is a special application where a landlord asks the LTB for permission to raise the rent above the annual limit, usually because they did major renovations or experienced a spike in municipal property taxes. They must give you an N1 and clearly state that an AGI is pending.
Does a new landlord mean a new rent amount?
No. If the apartment building is sold, the new owner completely inherits your existing lease. They cannot force you to sign a new lease or illegally raise your rent just because the property changed hands.
What if my roommate moves out? Can the rent go up?
As long as at least one of the original tenants remains on the lease, the tenancy continues under the exact same rent control rules. The landlord cannot treat it as a new tenancy and spike the rent.
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