OLFA
The N1 form is the official Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board notice used to increase rent for most rent-controlled residential units.
For many landlords, the N1 is one of the most commonly used forms, but it is also one of the forms most frequently completed incorrectly. Even small date errors or incorrect calculations can create problems later if a dispute reaches the Landlord and Tenant Board.
The purpose of the N1 is simple: it formally notifies the tenant about a legal rent increase.
When Should You Use an N1?
You should generally use an N1 when:
- The property is subject to Ontario rent control rules
- At least 12 months have passed since the last increase
- You are increasing rent within the annual guideline amount
- The tenancy is ongoing
Example of Proper N1 Use
A landlord in Toronto rented a condo for $2,200 per month. Twelve months have passed since the last increase, and the Ontario guideline allows a 2.5% increase.
The landlord prepares an N1 giving 90 days' notice and increases rent according to the guideline.
This is a standard and appropriate use of the N1 form.
When Should You NOT Use an N1?
An N1 should not be used if:
- The unit is exempt from rent control
- Less than 12 months have passed
- You are applying for an above-guideline increase agreement
- The tenancy is ending
Example of Incorrect N1 Use
A landlord purchases a newly built condo first occupied after November 2018 and wants to increase rent significantly above the annual guideline.
In this situation, an N2 form may be more appropriate than an N1.
Common N1 Mistakes
Landlords often run into problems because they:
- Using the wrong effective date
- Miscalculating the increase percentage
- Giving less than 90 days' notice
- Using outdated forms
- Forgetting tenant names or signatures
Ontario landlord forms are technical and highly date-sensitive. Many landlords use guided online completion systems like SwiftLTB because the process is faster, dates are easier to calculate correctly, formatting is automatic, and common mistakes are reduced.