The Province of British Columbia has set the maximum allowable rent increase for 2027 at 2.2%.
LandlordBC is pleased that the Minister has remained consistent with the rent increase formula set out under the Residential Tenancy Regulations, providing important certainty and predictability for rental housing providers.
We recognize that British Columbians, particularly renters, continue to feel the impact of rising costs, and so too do the rental housing providers who deliver the homes they rely on. A stable and predictable operating environment is essential to supporting existing rental housing and encouraging continued investment in the sector.
Rental housing providers deliver critical housing for British Columbians, and LandlordBC remains committed to supporting them through advocacy, education, and access to the resources they need to successfully operate rental housing.
At the same time, LandlordBC continues to advocate for a balanced approach to tenancy regulation, particularly during the significant challenges currently facing the rental housing sector.
While maintaining the existing rent increase formula provides greater certainty, LandlordBC maintains that the simplest and most effective long-term solution is to restore the CPI + 2% rent increase formula eliminated in 2019. Doing so would provide greater predictability and help address rising costs for maintenance, insurance, utilities, financing, property management, and the ongoing investment required to maintain rental homes.
Timing
The earliest a rent increase may be effective is 12 months after the last rent increase or the date the rent was established. Additionally, notice must be served at least three full months before the effective date.
For a tenancy where rent is due on the first of the month, a Notice of Rent Increase served and received in September 2026 may be effective January 1, 2027, provided at least 12 months have passed since the rent was established or the last lawful rent increase took effect.
Rental housing providers must also consider the method of service they plan to use. A notice served in person is considered served the same day, while a notice posted on a tenant’s door or placed in a tenant’s mailbox has a three-day service delay. Those using Canada Post to send regular or registered mail will need to factor in a five-day delay.
For information about using email as a method of service, please refer to the LandlordBC guide.
The Form
As with many residential tenancy processes, there is an approved form that must be used when increasing rent.
LandlordBC encourages members to always ensure they are using the most up-to-date version of the form by accessing and printing it directly as needed.
Additional Rent Increase for Capital Expenditures
Rental housing providers seeking an increase above the annual allowable percentage to recover eligible capital expenditure costs should review the LandlordBC Additional Rent Increase guide before serving an annual rent increase notice.