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Ontario's 2027 Rent Increase Guideline Is 1.9% — What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know Before October

  August 16, 2026 If you own a rental property in Ontario — or rent one — mark October 3 on your calendar. That's the earliest a landlord can legally serve notice for a rent increase that takes effect January 1, 2027, and it's the practical starting gun for a guideline that's quietly gotten tighter for the third year in a row. The province has set the 2027 rent increase guideline at 1.9% , down from 2.1% in 2026 and well off the 2.5% legal ceiling that held for three straight years before that. It's the lowest guideline Ontario has published in years — and while that sounds like a straightforward win for tenants, the real story for both sides is in the timing, the exemptions, and what a below-inflation-feeling number actually does to a landlord's math. What It Means for You Landlords: the earliest you can serve a valid N1 notice for a January 1, 2027 increase is October 3, 2026 — 90 days' notice is mandatory. Tenants: a 1.9% cap only applies if your unit is rent...

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Slow-Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

Make this traditional Irish stew in your slow cooker! Cooking low and slow creates very tender beef and a robust flavor. The best part is that it's ready to eat after you get home from a long day.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds potatoes (about 3 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 medium parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 celery ribs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 pounds), cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) Guinness stout or beef broth
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Minced fresh parsley
Directions

1. Place the first 5 ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker.

2. Toss beef with flour, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches. Transfer beef to slow cooker with a slotted spoon. Reduce heat to medium. To same skillet, add tomato paste and garlic. Cook and stir 1 minute.

3. Add beer to skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Transfer to slow cooker. Stir in broth and thyme.

4. Cook, covered, on low until beef and vegetables are tender, 7-8 hours. Garnish with parsley.


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