2026 Rent Increase Limit Announced for B.C.

today | News, Policies, & Regulations | By Aaron Rossetti

The B.C. government has released the allowable rent increase limit for 2026. This is the maximum percentage landlords can raise rent for existing tenants, as set by the Residential Tenancy Branch.

For 2026, the rent increase limit is 2.3%.
For comparison, the 2025 rent increase limit was 3%.


What This Means for Tenants and Landlords

  • Tenants: Your landlord can only increase rent once every 12 months, and only with at least three full months’ written notice. Even if utilities or other costs are included in your rent, landlords cannot raise rent beyond the set yearly limit.
  • Landlords: Rent increases must follow the guidelines set by the Residential Tenancy Branch. Missed increases from previous years can’t be “added on” to the current year.

Where to Learn More

If you’d like to read the full details, including rules about utilities, sublets, and disputing unlawful increases, visit the Residential Tenancy Branch’s rent increase information page [link here].