- What The government of British Columbia has set a 3% rent increase limit for 2025
- Why The increase is being pegged to inflation
- What next The province also put in place a tax credit for low- and moderate-income renters
The government of British Columbia has set the maximum allowable residential rent increase for 2025 at 3%, tying it to inflation.
The government defines the maximum increase as the average change in the all-item consumer price index for the province over the 12 months ending in July of the year before the increase takes effect.
The mandate does not apply to commercial tenancies, nonprofit housing where rent is geared to income, cooperative housing and some assisted-living facilities.
The cap is down from the 3.5% limit set for 2024. Rents were frozen during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the maximum increase was set at 1.5%, while for 2023, it was increased to 2%.
Before 2018, landlords were permitted to raise rents based on inflation plus 2%.
“At a time when we know renters are struggling, our rent cap protects renters against unfair rent hikes, while allowing landlords to meet rising costs so that rental homes can stay in B.C.’s housing market,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing.
For manufactured-home park tenancies, rents can also be increased up to 3%, alongside a proportional amount for the change in local government levies and regulated utility fees.
The province also implemented an annual tax credit of $400 for low- and moderate-income renters across B.C.
