B.C. rents can rise just 1.4 per cent after freeze ends

Glen Korstrom • September 10, 2020

Residential rental rate freeze ends in December but landlords will have to keep rental increases at low level into next year, province says

 The B.C. government plans to end its freeze on rent increases starting in December, 2020.

Starting in 2021, landlords will be allowed to raise rents by a maximum of 1.4 per cent. The freeze on raising rents went into effect in March, and landlords are only able to raise the rent once a year, so the freeze on rent hikes did not help all renters, but impacted all landlords.

Any tenant who received a notice to increase rent that would have gone into effect after March 18 is allowed to pay their current rent until November, 2020, the B.C. government said in a statement on September 3.

B.C. landlords must provide tenants with three months' notice using a notice-of-rent-increase form so the earliest that the new 1.4 per cent increase could kick in would be January, 2021.

Before 2018, B.C. landlords were able to raise rents by the rate of inflation, plus an additional 2 per cent This translated into a maximum 2.6 per cent increase in 2020, before the rent freeze came into effect.

B.C. landlords must provide tenants with three months' notice using a notice-of-rent-increase form so the earliest that the new 1.4 per cent increase could kick in would be January, 2021.

The B.C. government removed the ability to add the extra 2 per cent rent hike in 2018 – a tweak that means that renters living in a $1,320-per-month apartment, which is the cost of the average two-bedroom rental unit in B.C., will save up to $317 in 2021, and people living in an average two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver will save about $420, according to the B.C. government. It said the end to the freeze on rent hikes enables property owners to make investments and repairs to maintain safe housing, while ensuring rent increases are moderate and predictable.

By Heather Colpitts | Langley Advanced Times April 22, 2025
There's plenty to do on the Easter weekend around Langley. Stations of the Cross Several local churches organize a unique event in Fort Langley on Good Friday. A wooden cross is carried by a public procession through the village to various sites which symbolize the stations. There are scripture readings and prayers offered at the various sites. The public is welcome. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Fort Langley Community Hall on April 18. A program is downloadable at fortlangleychurches.ca. Township is hopping The Township is celebrating Easter long weekend with fun activities for all ages at our recreation facilities from Friday, April 18, to Monday, April 21. Registration may be required for some activities and is recommended to secure a spot. If a session is not at full capacity, drop-in same day admissions will be accepted. Regular admission rates apply unless otherwise indicated with complete details on the Township website. Find out more here
By Andy Schildhorn April 22, 2025
Open House This Sunday 2:30–4 PM #131 – 600 Park Crescent, New Westminster Welcome to this bright one-level, end-unit garden townhome in the heart of Glenbrooke - perfect for young families or first-time home buyers. Don’t miss this charming ground-level home in Glenbrooke North! For more details on this home click here.
By Andy Schildhorn April 18, 2025
It's basically the most basic dog you can get, but they are adorable. They're popular for a reason. Support our very own LAPS
More Posts