Landlords can only increase rent if they provide tenants with at least 3 full months notice. Rent can only be increased once every 12 months and must be within the yearly rent increase limit, as set by the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Tenants must pay the increased rent, unless the increase is unlawful.
The 2024 rent increase limit for residential tenancies is 3.5%.
The 2025 rent increase limit for residential tenancies is 3%.
If utilities and other fees are included in the rent, the landlord still cannot increase the rent beyond this amount even if their costs are higher. Find out if the Residential Tenancy Act covers your tenancy .
Use this rent increase calculator to find out when and by how much rent can be increased for existing tenants.
Rent cannot increase more than the annual limit. Landlords can't round up when calculating the allowable rent increase.
Landlords can only increase rent if it has been at least 12 months since:
This rule applies if there is a new landlord or a new tenant through a sublet or assignment of a tenancy agreement.
For yearly rent increases, landlords can only increase the rent by the limit set by the Residential Tenancy Branch. Landlords can only apply rent increases for the current year, even if the landlord:
For example, last year's rent increase limit was 2%. The landlord increased rent by 1%, instead of the full 2%. This year, the landlord wants to increase the rent by the remaining 1% from last year in addition to full amount allowed this year.
The landlord is not allowed to do this because it is above this year's annual rent increase limit.
In addition to the yearly rent increase, there are other types of rent increases that may be allowed. Learn more about additional rent increases for costs and expenditures and additional occupant clauses.
Landlords must provide tenants with three full months notice of a rent increase. This written notice must include:
Landlords must use the Notice of rent increase (PDF, 636KB) - F orm RTB-7 to let tenants know about rent increases.
Utilities and other fees can only be increased with the tenant's agreement. This applies whether utilities are included in the tenancy agreement or if there is a separate agreement.
Tenants should make sure to get a copy of the utility or service bill from their landlord before paying.
Landlords can't raise any fees or utilities that have been agreed upon in writing.
Tenants do not have to pay rent increases that are higher than the amount allowed by law or if proper notice was not given. If a tenant thinks that their landlord has unlawfully increased their rent, they should communicate their concerns to the landlord.
Tenants can apply for dispute resolution if they can't resolve the issue through communications with their landlord. Dispute resolution is a process to help resolve conflicts between landlords and tenants.
If tenants have paid a rent increase higher than the legal amount, they can deduct the overpayment from future rent. Tenants should explain in writing the reason they are not paying the amount the landlord asked for.
Landlords may ask tenants to voluntarily agree to a higher rent increase. Tenants do not have to agree.
If a tenant agrees, any increase above the yearly limit must be put in a written agreement that clearly shows:
When a tenant sublets their rental unit to another tenant, they become a landlord.
For example, if Tenant A rents their unit to Tenant B under a sublease, Tenant A becomes the landlord of Tenant B.
If Tenant A receives a notice of a rent increase, then Tenant A may pass the rent increase to Tenant B with proper notice.