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N1 Form Ontario: How to Fill Out the Rent Increase Notice

A complete guide to the N1 (Notice of Rent Increase) form for Ontario landlords. Learn how to properly notify your tenant of a rent increase using the 2026 guideline of 2.1%.

6 min readUpdated for 2026

N1 Form Quick Reference

2026 Guideline: 2.1%

Maximum for rent-controlled units

90 Days Notice Required

Before increase takes effect

12 Months Between Increases

From last increase or move-in

First Day of Rental Period

Effective date requirement

What is the N1 Form?

The N1 (Notice of Rent Increase) is the official form used by Ontario landlords to inform tenants of a rent increase. For most rent increases within the guideline amount (2.1% for 2026), the N1 is the only form you need.

The form notifies the tenant of:

  • The new rent amount
  • When the increase takes effect
  • Their right to dispute the increase if they believe it is invalid

Download the Official N1 Form

Always use the current version from Tribunals Ontario.

Download from tribunalsontario.ca

How to Fill Out the N1 Form (Step-by-Step)

Section 1: Tenant Information

Enter the full legal name(s) of all tenants on the lease. The names must match exactly what appears on the lease agreement. Include all adult tenants listed.

Section 2: Rental Unit Address

Provide the complete address of the rental unit, including:

  • Unit/apartment number (if applicable)
  • Street address
  • City and postal code

Section 3: Rent Amounts

Enter both the current rent and the new rent amount:

  • Current rent: The rent the tenant is currently paying
  • New rent: The increased amount (current rent × 1.021 for 2026 guideline)

Example calculation for 2026 (2.1% guideline):

Current rent: $2,000

$2,000 × 0.021 = $42.00 increase

New rent: $2,042.00

Use our free rent increase calculator

Section 4: Effective Date

The effective date is when the new rent amount begins. This date must meet two requirements:

  1. At least 90 days from when you serve the notice
  2. First day of a rental period (usually the 1st of the month)

Calculate the correct effective date

Section 5: Landlord Signature

Sign and date the form. If you have a property manager or agent, they can sign on your behalf if authorized to do so.

How to Serve the N1 Notice

You must properly serve the N1 to your tenant. Acceptable methods include:

  • Hand delivery: Give it directly to the tenant
  • Mailbox: Leave in the mailbox of the rental unit
  • Under the door: Slide under the door or through mail slot
  • Mail: Send by regular mail (add 5 days to your timeline)
  • Email: Only if the tenant has agreed to receive notices electronically

Keep Proof of Service

Always document how and when you served the N1. Fill out a Certificate of Service and keep it with your records. If the tenant disputes the increase, you will need to prove the notice was properly served.

N1 Form Checklist

Tenant full legal name(s) match the lease
Complete rental unit address
Current rent amount is accurate
New rent calculated correctly (max 2.1% for 2026)
Effective date is at least 90 days away
Effective date is the first day of a rental period
12 months have passed since last increase (or move-in)
Form is signed and dated
Certificate of Service completed

Common N1 Mistakes to Avoid

Less than 90 days notice

Count carefully from service date. If mailing, add 5 extra days.

Wrong effective date

Must be the first day of a rental period, not just 90 days away.

Exceeding the guideline

For rent-controlled units, max increase is 2.1% for 2026.

Names do not match lease

Use the exact names as they appear on the lease agreement.

Using an outdated form

Always download the current N1 from Tribunals Ontario.

No proof of service

Keep a Certificate of Service documenting how you delivered the notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

The N1 (Notice of Rent Increase) is the official form used by Ontario landlords to notify tenants of a rent increase. It is required for guideline rent increases on rent-controlled units and must be served at least 90 days before the increase takes effect.
To fill out the N1 form, include: tenant full legal name(s), rental unit address, current rent amount, new rent amount, effective date (first day of a rental period, at least 90 days away), and your signature with date. Ensure all information matches the lease.
You must provide at least 90 days written notice using the N1 form before the rent increase takes effect. The effective date must also be the first day of a rental period (usually the 1st of the month).
Yes, you can serve the N1 notice on any day. However, the effective date of the increase must be the first day of a rental period (usually the 1st of the month) and at least 90 days after you serve the notice.
The official N1 form is available for free download from the Tribunals Ontario website (tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/forms/). Always use the most current version of the form.
The Ontario rent increase guideline for 2026 is 2.1%. This is the maximum percentage landlords can increase rent for rent-controlled units without applying for an Above Guideline Increase (AGI).
For rent-controlled units, increases above 2.1% require an Above Guideline Increase (AGI) application to the LTB. For exempt units (first occupied after November 15, 2018), you can increase by any amount but still need 90 days notice.
You can serve the N1 by: handing it directly to the tenant, leaving it in the mailbox, sliding it under the door, or mailing it (add 5 extra days for mail). Keep proof of how and when you served it using a Certificate of Service.

Related Resources

Rent Increase Calculator

Calculate the exact new rent amount

N1 Date Calculator

Find the correct effective date

2026 Rent Increase Guide

Complete guide to the 2.1% guideline

General Rent Increase Guide

Detailed walkthrough of the process

Generate N1 Notices Automatically

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