Start here: For ordinary residential tenancies, the standard allowable increase is 2.3% for increases taking effect in 2026 and 2.2% for 2027. A landlord normally needs RTB-7, three full months’ notice and at least 12 months between legal increases.
Test the effective date, not just the percentage
- For an ordinary residential tenancy, apply the cap for the calendar year in which the increase takes effect: 2.3% in 2026 and 2.2% in 2027.
- The landlord normally must provide at least three full months’ written notice using the required rent-increase form, and there must be at least 12 months since rent was first payable or last lawfully increased.
- If a proposed increase exceeds the standard cap, check the separate RTB approval or written-agreement rules; an online percentage calculation cannot authorize it.
What to check first
Confirm the calendar year the increase takes effect, current rent, date rent was first set or last legally raised, and when the notice was actually or legally received.
Next steps
Use the site rent increase calculator for the ordinary annual amount, then check with the official BC calculator.
Important exception or mistake
Above-guideline increases have additional approval or written-agreement requirements; the ordinary calculator does not approve them.
Keep for your records
Keep the original notice or agreement, messages with dates, payment records, proof of delivery and any hearing confirmation. The rules can differ depending on the request and how the papers were delivered.