What is Shanker Kana?

Shanker Kana is an all-in-one property management software platform built for Ontario landlords and property managers. It handles Ontario LTB forms (N4, N12, L1, Standard Lease), e-signatures, online rent collection with PAD mandates, AI-powered Ontario RTA answers, CRA-ready expense tracking, maintenance requests, invoicing, Stripe payments, vendor management, and more — all from a single dashboard.

How much does Shanker Kana cost?

Plans start at $29 CAD/month for up to 25 units (Basic), $79/month for up to 200 units (Pro, with per-unit pricing), and $199/month for unlimited units (Enterprise, with per-unit pricing). All plans include every feature — LTB forms, e-signature, AI assistant, tenant portal, and more — with a 30-day free trial and no credit card required.

Can tenants pay rent online through Shanker Kana?

Yes. Shanker Kana integrates with Stripe so tenants can pay rent online by credit or debit card from their self-service portal. You can also set up Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) mandates for automated rent collection directly from a tenant's bank account. Payments are linked to invoices automatically and downloadable PDF receipts are generated.

Does Shanker Kana generate Ontario LTB forms?

Yes. Shanker Kana generates 11 Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board forms directly from your tenant and lease data: N4 (Non-Payment), N5 (Interference), N8 (Persistent Late), N11 (Termination Agreement), N12 (Owner's Own Use), N13 (Demolition), N1 and N2 (Rent Increase Notices), L1 and L2 (LTB Applications), Ontario Standard Lease, and Proof of Service Certificates. No manual form-filling required.

Does Shanker Kana have an AI assistant for Ontario landlord-tenant law?

Yes. Shanker Kana includes a built-in AI Chat Assistant trained on Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, LTB forms, maintenance best practices, and platform features. It answers questions like 'How do I file an N4?' or 'What is the LMR deposit interest rate?' directly in the app. Conversation history is saved so you can continue where you left off.

Does Shanker Kana support e-signatures?

Yes. Shanker Kana has a built-in e-signature feature for lease agreements, LTB forms, and custom documents. It supports multiple signers (landlord and tenant simultaneously), generates a signed PDF automatically when all parties sign, and maintains a full audit trail with timestamps.

Does Shanker Kana support CRA expense categories?

Yes. Shanker Kana supports all 15 CRA-approved rental expense categories including advertising, insurance, interest, maintenance and repairs, management fees, office expenses, property taxes, salaries, utilities, and more. You can export expenses as a CSV file for tax season (T776 form).

Is there a free trial?

Yes, Shanker Kana offers a 30-day free trial with full platform access including LTB forms, e-signature, AI assistant, and tenant portal. No credit card is required to start. You can also try the live demo instantly — as Manager, Owner, Tenant, or Vendor — without signing up.

Ontario Landlord and Tenant Rights in 2026: What You Need to Know

April 15, 2026 · By Shanker Kana Team

Understanding your rights and obligations as a landlord or tenant in Ontario starts with the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). This provincial law governs almost all residential rental agreements and is enforced by the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).

Rent Increase Guidelines for 2026

The Ontario government sets an annual rent increase guideline each year. For 2026, the guideline is 2.1%, which is the maximum amount most landlords can raise rent without LTB approval. Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from rent control and can be increased by any amount with 90 days' written notice using an N1 form.

Above-guideline increases (AGIs) can be applied for through the LTB when landlords incur extraordinary capital expenditures, security costs, or municipal tax increases. These require a formal L5 application filed directly with the LTB.

Eviction Process in Ontario

Ontario law provides specific grounds for eviction, each with its own notice form:

N4 — Non-payment of rent: 7 days to pay or vacate
N5 — Interference / damage: 20 days to correct the issue
N8 — End of tenancy at term end: Used for no-fault terminations, including persistent late payment
N12 — Personal use: Landlord or family member requires the unit
N13 — Demolition / conversion: Requires LTB approval and compensation

All eviction notices must be served properly, and tenants have the right to dispute them at a hearing. Shanker Kana's LTB Form Generator creates these notices pre-populated with your property and tenant data.

Tenant Rights and Protections

Tenants in Ontario have significant protections including:

Right to a written lease (Ontario Standard Lease)
Right to live in a unit maintained in good repair
Protection against illegal lockouts and personal property seizure
Right to 24 hours' written notice before landlord entry (except emergencies)
Right to assign or sublet with landlord's consent (which cannot be unreasonably withheld)

Ontario Standard Lease Requirements

Since April 30, 2018, all new residential tenancies must use the Ontario Standard Lease. This provincial template includes mandatory terms covering rent amount, deposit rules, maintenance responsibilities, and key tenant protections that cannot be contracted away.

Maintenance and Repair Obligations

Under Section 20 of the RTA, landlords must maintain rental units in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, and compliant with all health, safety, and housing standards. This includes structural integrity, essential services (heating minimum 20°C, hot water, electricity), common areas, and pest control.

Security Deposits and Last-Month's-Rent Rules

In Ontario, the only lawful deposit a landlord can collect at the time of signing a lease is the last month's rent (LMR) deposit. Damage deposits and security deposits are illegal. The LMR deposit must earn interest annually — for 2026, the interest rate is 2.1%. Use the LMR Interest Calculator to compute the amount owed.

2026 LTB Processing Times

Typical wait times for common applications in 2026:

L1 (arrears of rent): 3–6 months from filing to hearing
L2 (termination for cause): 4–8 months
T2 (tenant rights): 6–12+ months

How Shanker Kana Helps

Shanker Kana's property management platform is purpose-built for Ontario's regulatory environment. Generate LTB forms with pre-populated data, maintain auditable communication logs for Board hearings, collect rent online with Stripe-powered PAD mandates, and track expenses across CRA-compliant categories. Start your free 30-day trial today.