Manitoba above-guideline rent increases

October 2026 change: when is a proposed increase payable?

Effective October 20, 2026: Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Branch states that, while a landlord’s above-guideline application is awaiting the Director’s order, the tenant is not required to pay any of the proposed rent increase. Continue paying the previously payable rent and check the Branch’s current instructions and the order when issued. Do not assume the proposal itself has been approved, or that rent already owed under a separate, previously effective order is waived. The Branch’s homepage carries this newer notice; some older FAQ wording still describes the superseded pay-first procedure.

October 30, 2026 regulation now in force: Manitoba Regulation 116/2026 lowered the allowable percentages of specified capital costs used in above-guideline calculations: one-third became 20%, one-quarter became 15%, one-sixth became 10% and one-eighth became 7.5%. This is the enacted 40% reduction, not merely a plan. The revised percentages generally apply to an application if the Director had not made a section 125 order before October 30, even if the landlord filed earlier; an application already subject to such an order remains under the prior capital-cost rules, even on appeal. The regulation says a new notice or application is not required solely because the amendment took effect.

Sources: RTB’s current payment notice and M.R. 116/2026, including transitional rules.

The application is separate from ordinary notice

• The Branch publishes Form 3, Application for Rent Increase Above Amount Allowed by Regulation, for landlords seeking an increase greater than the annual guideline.
• The landlord must document eligible operating and capital expense factors and comply with the application and tenant-notice procedures. The Branch specifies an application deadline tied to the beginning of the three-month notice period: for example, where an increase is proposed for October 1 following a June 15 notice, the Branch example requires the application by July 14. Confirm the exact date for the actual proposed increase.
• Tenants can review the landlord’s submitted financial materials at the Branch and send written comments. They may take notes but the Branch says it cannot provide copies of confidential financial material. A written tenant objection ordinarily must reach the Branch at least 60 days before the proposed increase; ask the Branch about your specific file if that date has passed.

What if a tenant wants to move?

For a covered fixed-term tenancy where the landlord has applied for an above-guideline increase, the Branch explains that a tenant may sign the renewal but retain a special right to end the tenancy with two rental payment periods’ notice. That notice may be given from signing until 14 days after the Branch or Residential Tenancies Commission decides the application. This is different from assuming that signing always means accepting the proposed rent. Check the specific dates and notice requirements with the Branch.

Filing fees can be material

Published application fees vary by the number of units in the residential complex: $150 for up to 19, $500 for 20–49, and $500 plus $5 per unit capped at $1,000 for 50 or more. Estimate the fee.

Common errors

• Treating the annual guideline as a guaranteed allowed increase for every unit.
• Paying or demanding the proposed increase before the Director’s order, despite the October 2026 policy notice, or using an old FAQ without checking the newer notice.
• Using the pre-October 30 capital-cost fractions for an application that has no pre-amendment Director’s order.
• Using the wrong unit count or filing materials when calculating fees.

Timing depends on the proposed increase

The Manitoba RTB policy explains that landlords seeking an increase above the guideline must file the application at least two and one-half months before the first proposed rent increase, in addition to the separate tenant notice requirement of at least three months. The Branch gives an October 1 increase / July 14 application example and extends an application deadline falling on a weekend or statutory holiday to the next business day. A tenant objection generally must reach the Branch at least 60 days before the proposed increase. Always determine the actual deadlines from the tenancy dates and official process.

RTB above-guideline application policy.