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Difference between revisions of "Rent Increase in Residential Tenancies (19:VI)"

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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= September 7, 2020}}
{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= August 10, 2021}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = landlord}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = landlord}}


:NOTE: Except for rent increases for one or more occupants and is authorized under the tenancy agreement by a term referred to in section 13(2)(f)(iv) of the RTA, section 6 of Ministerial Order 89 of 2020 and section 5 of Ministerial Order 195 of 2020 render rent increases that would have taken effect during the BC Provincial State of Emergency ineffective until the State of Emergency expires. If a landlord collects a rent increase that does not comply with these sections, the tenant may deduct the increase from rent or otherwise recover the increase. The Ministry of Housing has announced that they intend to amend the Order such that rent increase notices are effective on December 1st, 2020. Check https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/covid19-provincial-state-of-emergency/ to see if the BC Provincial State of Emergency is currently in effect. Refer to https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/covid-19#serving for the most up to date information.
:NOTE: s. 12 of ''Bill 7 (Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2021)'' came into effect March 25th, 2021, and added s. 43.1 to the RTA.  Under this provision, all notices of rent increase which are received before September 30, 2021, and have an effective date after March 30, 2020 and before January 1, 2022, have no effect.  Previously, section 6 of Ministerial Order 89 of 2020 and section 5 of Ministerial Order 195 of 2020 had implemented a freeze on rent increases beginning March 30th, 2020, and extending as long as the BC Provincial State of Emergency lasted.


== '''A. Rent Increases and Notice''' ==
== '''A. Rent Increases and Notice''' ==




Landlords can raise rents by a set amount each year and can apply for rent increases above that amount (RTA, s 43(1)). A tenant may also agree to pay a greater increase than the percentage permitted; this agreement must be in writing. If the tenant does not agree then the landlord is required to go through the dispute resolution process (RTA s 43 (3)). The percentage for allowable rent increases is the inflation rate (Consumer Price Index, or “CPI”) plus 2 percent. The maximum allowable increase changes each January 1st Check the webpage titled Rent Increases (http://bit.ly/1cWKrDB) on the RTB website to find the maximum rent increase allowed for the current year. The increase can occur every 12 months of the tenancy with the time period running from the date of the last rent increase for that tenant or the date the rental agreement was entered into (s 42(1)). A tenant may not apply for dispute resolution to dispute a rent increase that complies with s 43(1) (permitted increase or an Arbitrator ordered increase). If a landlord collects a rent increase that does not comply with the RTA, the tenant may deduct the entire increase from the rent. The tenant should communicate the reason for the deduction to the landlord before taking this form of action.
Landlords can raise rents by a set amount each year and can apply for rent increases above that amount (RTA, s 43(1)). A tenant may also agree to pay a greater increase than the percentage permitted; this agreement must be in writing. If the tenant does not agree then the landlord is required to go through the dispute resolution process (RTA s 43 (3)). The percentage for allowable rent increases is the inflation rate (Consumer Price Index, or “CPI”) plus 2 percent. '''The maximum allowable increase changes each January 1st.''' Check the webpage titled Rent Increases (http://bit.ly/1cWKrDB) on the RTB website to find the maximum rent increase allowed for the current year. The increase can occur every 12 months of the tenancy with the time period running from the date of the last rent increase for that tenant or the date the rental agreement was entered into (s 42(1)). A tenant may not apply for dispute resolution to dispute a rent increase that complies with s 43(1) (permitted increase or an Arbitrator ordered increase). If a landlord collects a rent increase that does not comply with the RTA, the tenant may deduct the entire increase from the rent. The tenant should communicate the reason for the deduction to the landlord before taking this form of action.




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A landlord may apply under s 43(3) of the RTA (additional rent increase) by making an application for a dispute resolution if one or more of the following conditions are met:
A landlord may apply under s 43(3) of the ''RTA'' (additional rent increase) by making an application for a dispute resolution if one or more of the following conditions are met:




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In the case where a tenant is remaining in the same rental location, but circumstances require a new lease is signed, any change in rent is still controlled by RTA s 43 as if the new lease is an extension of the original lease.
In the case where a tenant is remaining in the same rental location, but circumstances require a new lease is signed, any change in rent is still controlled by RTA s 43 '''as if the new lease is an extension of the original lease.'''




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== '''C. Hidden Rent Increases''' ==
== '''C. Hidden Rent Increases''' ==


The tenant can apply to an Arbitrator under s 27 of the RTA, if the landlord starts to charge the tenant for a service or facility previously included in the rent (e.g. for cable television or laundry that was previously free), or takes away a service or facility previously enjoyed by a tenant (e.g. stops providing cable television or laundry that was previously included in the rent, without decreasing the rent proportionately).
The tenant can apply to an Arbitrator under s 27 of the ''RTA'', if the landlord starts to charge the tenant for a service or facility previously included in the rent (e.g. for cable television or laundry that was previously free), or takes away a service or facility previously enjoyed by a tenant (e.g. stops providing cable television or laundry that was previously included in the rent, without decreasing the rent proportionately).




If the Arbitrator considers that the failure or reduction has resulted in a substantial reduction of the use and enjoyment of residential premises or of the service or facility, the Arbitrator can provide relief (e.g. allowing the tenant to pay less rent, or ordering the service or facility restored).  See also RTB Policy Guideline 22: Termination or Restriction of a Service or Facility.
If the Arbitrator considers that the failure or reduction has resulted in a substantial reduction of the use and enjoyment of residential premises or of the service or facility, the Arbitrator can provide relief (e.g. allowing the tenant to pay less rent, or ordering the service or facility restored).  See also RTB Policy Guideline 22: Termination or Restriction of a Service or Facility.
== '''D. Subsidized Housing''' ==
Persons living in publicly subsidized housing paying rent on a scale geared to their income are excluded from the rent increase provisions. They are also excluded from s 34 of the ''RTA'', which deals with assignment and subletting. Not all subsidized housing is directly operated by the B.C. Housing Corporation. For a list of subsidized housing options and to apply for subsidized housing, visit:
https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-housing/subsidized-housing. 




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