By Joseph A. Gaetan BGS
August 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The following is an excerpt from an information package prepared by the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB),
“Your landlord has applied for above guideline rent increase for one or more of the following reasons listed on page two of the attached application.
1 Extraordinary increase in municipal taxes.
There is no limit on the percentage rent increase above the guidelines allowed for an extraordinary increase in the cost for municipal taxes and charges”
Municipal tax increases fall on renters as well as property owners. Landlords can apply for permission to increase rent that is Above the Guideline Increase amount.
The close to two hundred renters in this rental building could soon see their rent rise well beyond Ontario’s legislated 2.5% cap. Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, landlords can apply for an AGI (Above Guideline Increase) if their municipal taxes or charges increase by an “extraordinary” amount, defined as exceeding 1.5 times the annual rent increase guideline.The 2025 total residential property tax increase in Burlington including city, region, and education levies was 5.82%. Landlords of rental properties are eligible under Ontario law to recover such costs through rent increases that exceed the annual guideline.
Landlords Also Feel the Pressure of Tax Increases
While renters are understandably concerned about the possible rent hikes, many landlords argue they are facing a financial squeeze of their own. With operating costs rising, including maintenance, insurance, and utilities, the significant jump in property taxes has left many with no option but to apply for rent increases. Landlord advocacy groups have long argued that Ontario’s rent control system makes it difficult to keep rental housing financially viable, especially in cities like Burlington where municipal tax hikes have outpaced inflation for a number of years. This year, the rent guideline is 2.5%, meaning landlords can apply for an AGI if their municipal taxes rose more than 3.75%. Burlington’s increase of 5.82% surpasses that threshold, and rental property owners are already signaling that they will seek rent hikes to recover their rising costs.
If approved, AGIs can add 3% or more to the regular rent guideline, meaning some Burlington tenants could face rent increases of 5% or more in 2025—and potentially again in 2026, when a further 4.49% tax increase is forecast.
To impose a rent increase above the guideline, landlords must
– Give tenants at least 90 days’ written notice;
– Await approval at a hearing before collecting the higher rent.
This now annual event is an opportunity for you to talk to your council member.
Tenants do have a right to challenge AGI applications including
– Attending and speaking at the LTB hearing (in person or remotely);
– Arguing whether the tax increase truly meets the “extraordinary” threshold;
Time for Burlington to Tighten Its Belt
As Burlington continues to increase property taxes to maintain services and infrastructure, renters could become the unintended financial shock absorbers The ripple effect is especially concerning for seniors, students, and low-income households who already spend a disproportionate portion of their income on rent.
Some Burlington residents say the city must also be held accountable for the financial pressures cascading onto landlords and tenants alike. Local taxpayer advocates, including long-time resident Eric Stern, have been vocal about the need for Burlington to control its spending and reduce future tax increases, “You can’t keep taxing your way out of structural inefficiencies,” Stern said during a delegation to City Council. “It’s time Burlington starts budgeting like households do—based on what’s truly affordable.”
Following are the year-over-year Burlington tax increases:
Time Frame Increase
2022 – 2023 15.57%
2023 – 2024 10.21%
2024 – 2025 8.9%
2025-2026 ??
The Bottom Line for Renters:
Renters in Burlington should brace for potential 5% rent increases in 2025 and beyond particularly if they receive a formal notice from their landlord. Staying informed, engaged, and prepared to respond at a hearing may help protect household budgets from steep new housing costs tied to rising municipal taxes.
All Taxpayers and Renters
With residents on all sides of the rental equation feeling squeezed, calls need to made asking for the City to revisit its fiscal priorities before more people are priced out of their homes or the housing market altogether.
Renters, you may not have much of a voice at the L.T.B. but bear in mind you have the following options:
1 Delegate at a City Council Meeting as they are now looking at the next level of increases that will hit your pocketbook one way or the other.
2 Attend upcoming public town hall meetings, starting in September:
Sept 13- Budget Booth- Food for Feedback- Central Park
Sept 18- Ward 6- Haber Community Centre
Sept 22- Ward 1- Lasalle Park Pavilion
Sep 23- Ward 2- Burlington Senior Centre
Sept 24- Ward 3- Brant Hills Community Centre
Sept 29- Ward 4- Tansley Woods Community Centre
Oct- 2- Ward 5- Appleby Ice Centre
Nov- 5- Telephone Town Hall
For further details see link:
2026 Budget | Get Involved Burlington
On top of that, let your councilor and the mayor know what you think by sending them an email.
Joseph A. Gaetan BGS is a Burlington resident who writes frequently on matters that concern the citizens of the city.
Good piece, Joe. Keep them coming.
I completely and emphatically disagree with the Editor or anyone who promotes the Food for Feedback event, as above. First, it is a highly orchestrated but completely false example of true engagement. There is no means of collating the feedback received, no reporting back after the fact (except anecdotal support of proposed directions) and no forum to provide meaningful feedback to Council. It is a ceremonial, expensive ‘outing’ for the Mayor complete with personalized signs, celebrity style tent and souvenirs (kidding about the latter). At last year’s event, the then CAO, would not even deign to get off his throne, shake hands and enter into conversation. He sat and rudely played with his cell phone, even when introduced. Food for Feedback is yet another instance of the empty theatre in which this Mayor and this Council routinely “engage”. Stay away, let them all talk to themselves. It’s what they do best anyways.
When I was responsible for a program area within the I&IT function of the Ontario Government, I was required to hold a Town Hall twice a year. All staff were invited (except a small contingent who had to maintain the critical systems) and the agenda had to include an overview of government priorities, a view of how my program fit within or could promote these directions, a report back on progress made/challenges faced since the last meeting and, most importantly, an open and unrehearsed question and answer period. It was always ‘open mic’ and questions could be directed to myself or any of the senior staff. It was expected to be respectful, but it was not expected to be easy. There were no planted questions, no “softballs” and it was frequently challenging. It did not always go well – particularly when the directions of the current government were unclear or unpopular. But it was part of a mandatory engagement process and it was honest and, I believe, appreciated.
Why can’t the current Burlington Council hold such an event at least once a year; an open Town Hall where direct questions from the floor are asked of specific individuals then opened to the panel. It requires skilled moderation but there are those with the skills in abundance. It requires a willingness by Council to risk embarrassment or exposure but isn’t that part of the role they play. It requires a genuine interest in the concerns and opinions of Burlington’s citizens. It should be held at night to permit maximum attendance in as large a venue as possible – and no freebies except for the program. It has been seven years since Meed Ward was elected Mayor on a populist wave of dissatisfaction with the ‘status quo’. Many promises of openness and true engagement were made and, in my opinion, never kept. What we have experienced for almost two terms of office are carefully prepared performances where form over substance, rhetoric over communication and personality over policy prevail. It is time that we stopped accepting and enabling the farce.
Blair, I never meant to promote “Food for Feedback” my goal was to inform renters who may not know where or how to give COB an earful or maybe a mouthful. But while we are on the subject, which of the listed opportunities for feedback would you recommend?
Any and all – people need to voice their concerns. But don’t believe that a sympathetic ear is at the other end. It isn’t.
Blair, we are the megaphone. Sooner or later our message for change will resonate with those who believed they had no voice. And then we will see the sprouts of change.
Editor’s note: Don’t bet the farm on this one Joe. The voters haven’t felt any real pain. In time they might – and then listen to them squeal – and choose some as bad or worse. If you don’t do your homework – you fail
Blair,
As you noted, nothing is documented at the “Food for Feedback”.
As a friend of mine noted, it should be called “Food for Votes” and all paid for by Burlington Tax Payers.
This very costly event only benefits our Mayor and Council and not the taxpayers in Burlington!!!
This action by landlords is very long overdue. This story Joe, and Thank You much, is a service to tenants and to the general population. Just don’t waste it people – get mobilized and have a plan and a submission to this Council.
When I worked for government, when budget time came, spending cuts were real cuts, ordered by the guv, and the responsible managers just delivered. They were not just fake news based on phony percentage games by the Mayor.
We do not need evermore local government spending, using what has become money stolen from taxpayers by lame excuses about- “we need it”.