Rent increases (2024)

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.

When rent can be increased

Rent can be increased once every 12 months

Landlords can onlyincrease rentif it has been at least 12 months since:

• Rent was setat the beginning of a tenancyor
• Rent was last legally increased during an existing tenancy

This rule applies if there is a new landlord or a new tenant through a sublet orassignment of a tenancy agreement.

Yearly rent increases

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:

• Didn't apply arent increase in the previousyear
• Increased the rent by only part of the allowable amount last year

Other types of rent increases

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.

Tenants must get at least 3 months' notice

Landlords must provide tenants with three full months notice of a rent increase. Thiswritten notice mustinclude:

• The exact dollar amount of the increase
• The date the rent increase goes into effect

Landlords must use the Notice of rent increase(PDF, 636KB)-Form RTB 7to let tenantsknow about rent increases.

Utilities and other feeincreases

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.

How todispute unlawful rent increases

Tenants do not have to pay rent increases that are higher than the amount allowed by law or if proper noticewasnot given.If a tenant thinks that their landlord has unlawfully increased their rent, they should communicate their concerns to the landlord.

Tenantscan apply for dispute resolutionif they can't resolve the issue through communications with their landlord.Dispute resolution is a process to help resolve conflicts between landlords and tenants.

Deducting overpayments

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.

Agreeing to a higher rentlimit

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:

• The exact dollar amount of the rent increase
• The date the rent increase goes into effect
• Any conditions for agreeing to the rent increase
• The tenant's signature agreeing to the increase

Rent increases during a sublet

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 therent increase to Tenant B with proper notice.