How to Raise Rent Legally in Saskatchewan: A Step-by-Step Process

Raising rent in Saskatchewan is a procedural exercise. There's no cap on the amount, so the complexity isn't in deciding how much — it's in meeting the timing, notice, and service requirements. A timing error can move the effective date later; a notice or service defect can affect whether the increase is enforceable.

Here's the full process, start to finish.

Step 1: Confirm Your Tenancy Type

The process depends on whether the tenancy is periodic (month-to-month or week-to-week) or fixed-term.

Periodic tenancy: Use the standard rent increase process under Section 54 of the RTA. Continue to Step 2.

Fixed-term lease: You cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the exact amount and date were written into the original agreement. To propose a higher rent at renewal, serve the Term Lease — Two Month Notice of Intention Form at least 2 months before the lease expires. The rest of this process applies to periodic tenancies.

Step 2: Check Your Association Status

Are you a member in good standing of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association (SKLA) or the Network of Non-Profit Housing Providers of Saskatchewan (NPHPS)?

• Yes: You qualify for the 6-month notice track. You'll use the Notice of Rent Increase for Prescribed Landlord Association Members form. Confirm your membership will remain active through the proposed effective date.
• No: You're on the 12-month standard track. Use the standard Notice of Rent Increase form.

Step 3: Calculate Both Statutory Clocks

Clock 1 — Notice lead time: Count 12 months (or 6) from the deemed-service date, excluding that date when counting. Section 2-28(7) of The Legislation Act counts a period in months to the corresponding date in its final month. Factor in the service method:

• Personal delivery: deemed received immediately
• Door posting + ordinary mail: deemed received on the 3rd business day after mailing
• Door posting + electronic service: deemed received on the business day after transmission

Clock 2 — Tenancy waiting period:

• First increase: 18 months from tenancy commencement (12 for members)
• Subsequent increase: 12 months from the last effective date (6 for members)

The effective date must be the later of both clocks. Section 54 does not require it to align with the start of a rental period.

Step 4: Generate the ORT Form

Go to the ORT portal at saskatchewan.ca/ort and generate the correct form. Fill in every required field:

• Legal names of all tenants
• Landlord's legal name and contact information
• Full address of the rental unit
• Current rent and payment frequency
• Proposed new rent amount
• Calculated effective date
• Landlord's signature and date
• Confirmation that the landlord is a member in good standing of SKLA or NPHPS (association-member form only)

Complete the information requested. A material omission may affect whether the notice gives the required written notice.

Step 5: Serve the Notice

Choose a permitted service method and execute it properly:

• Personal delivery: Hand the notice to the tenant and record the date of delivery; a signed acknowledgement is useful evidence.
• Door posting + ordinary mail: Post the notice on the tenant's unit front door and send a copy by ordinary mail. Keep evidence of the posting and the mailing date.
• Door posting + electronic service: Post the notice on the tenant's unit front door and send the notice electronically in a form the tenant can access and retain. Keep the transmission record and evidence of posting.

Keep records showing the date and method of service. If you later serve a hearing notice and supporting documents in an ORT proceeding, complete the Certificate of Service required for those documents.

Step 6: Wait

The notice period runs from deemed service to the effective date. During this time, the tenant pays the current rent. The new amount begins only on the effective date.

If the tenant asks about the increase, you can explain the timeline. You do not need the tenant's agreement or signature — a properly served notice is effective whether the tenant acknowledges it or not.

Step 7: Handle Any Dispute

If the tenant files an ORT dispute ($50 application fee), a Hearing Officer reviews the notice for procedural compliance. The officer checks the notice information, timing, and service — not whether the amount is fair.

Bring the served notice, proof of service, tenancy agreement, and (if applicable) SKLA/NPHPS membership documentation. A complete paper trail is usually all it takes to uphold a properly executed notice.

Our Saskatchewan Rent Increase Guide provides a printable checklist, a dual-clock calculator, and service-proof templates for every step of this process.

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