What if I already paid an illegal charge or rent increase?

There are rules your landlord must follow if they want to raise your rent. A rent increase might be illegal if:

• your landlord gave you less than 90 days’ notice,
• the increase was less than 12 months after the previous increase, or
• the increase amount is more than the “guideline” allows.

There are also rules about what kind of deposits or other fees landlords are allowed to charge. For example, landlords can't ask for damage deposits or pet fees.

If you have paid an illegal rent increase or charge, you can try to get the landlord to give the money back to you. If the landlord won't return your money, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). The LTB can order your landlord to pay you back.

You must follow the right steps to get the LTB to hear your case. And you'll have to show evidence to the LTB to prove that you paid the money and that the charge or rent increase was illegal.

Time limits

You must apply to the LTB within one year of when you first paid the illegal charge or illegal rent increase.