BURSTThe province has announced the maximum allowable rent increase for next year, capping it at inflation.
The 2027 maximum allowable rent increase is 2.2 per cent, the Housing Ministry announced Thursday (Aug. 27). It takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Manufactured home park tenancies will also be capped at 2.2-per-cent rent increase, plus a proportional amount for the change in local government levies and regulated utility fees, the government said.
The rent increase cap does now apply to commercial tenancies, non-profit housing tenancies where rent is geared to income, co-operative housing and some assisted-living facilities.
It is slightly lower than the 2026 increase, which was 2.3 per cent. The province says this is the seventh consecutive year where the maximum allowable increase has been capped at or below inflation.
Housing Minister Christine Boyle said linking rent increases to inflation helps renters meet their housing expenses, “while also ensuring landlords can continue providing stable, well-maintained homes for renters for years to come.”
Announcing the maximum allowable rent increase now, the province said, provides landlords with the required minimum three months notice of change so renters can plan ahead. Landlords can only increase rent once every 12 months.
Rentals.ca released its August report showing that the average provincial rent rate decreased by 4.5 per cent. Nationally, it was down four per cent.
B.C. had seven cities in the top 20 for year-over-year-decreases for one- and two-bedroom units: North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Victoria, Langley and New Westminster.