On Tuesday, the Government of British Columbia announced that it will again be tying the annual rent increase cap to inflation, resulting in a maximum allowable rent increase of 2.3% in 2026.
"B.C. is an extraordinary place, but with economic uncertainty and rising costs, people are struggling to find a place to live that fits in their budget," said Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle, who was appointed to the position during this summer's cabinet shuffle. "We're continuing to cap rent increases, linking them to inflation, to reduce housing costs for seniors, families and individuals, protecting them from unfair hikes. At the same time, this rent increase allows landlords to invest in their properties to keep rental homes on the market."
This is the second consecutive year that the maximum allowable rent increase has been capped at inflation. The cap was set at 3.0% for 2025, but the Consumer Price Index has come down since then, resulting in a lower rate for 2026.
The 2.3% mark for 2026 represents one of the lowest rates in over two decades. Since 2003, there have only been five instances when the annual rent increase was 2.3% or lower, and two of those years (2021, 2022) were largely the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The provincial government announces the rent increase cap every year in late-August to give landlords more than the three months' notice they are required to provide their tenants, as rent increases for 2026 cannot take effect before January 1, 2026. Landlords are nonetheless allowed to ask tenants to accept a rent increase above the provincial cap, but tenants do not have to accept. A tenant's rent also cannot be increased twice within a 12-month period.
"Since 2017, the Province has been strengthening supports for renters, while ensuring landlords can take action on problematic tenancies," said the Province in its announcement. "Changes have helped prevent illegal renovictions and the annual renter's tax credit provides $400 a year to renters with low and moderate incomes."
"As well, B.C. was the first province or territory in Canada to provide provincewide rent bank services with interest-free loans for tenants facing urgent financial hardships," the announcement also noted. "The Rental Protection Fund helps preserve existing affordable rental housing in communities throughout the province. More families and seniors with low incomes are supported by this year’s enhancements to the Rental Assistance Program and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program."
This year's announcement comes at a particularly notable moment as the rental market is significantly different than what it has been in recent years. Since about this time last year, the average asking rent in Canada has been on a steady decline, dropping by 3.6% year over year from July 2024 to July 2025, after years of seemingly non-stop increases.
