BC Rental Rules: the full reference

Maximum allowable rent increase for existing tenancies in 2026 calendar year. Set each year by the Residential Tenancy Branch, which published the 2026 limit of 2.3% on its rent-increases page, alongside the 2027 limit (see bc.rent_cap.2027). The limit has been announced at different times of year (the 2027 limit appeared in August 2026), so this fact is re-checked against that page.

Maximum allowable rent increase for existing tenancies in the 2027 calendar year, published by the Residential Tenancy Branch on 2026-08-27 as 2.2%. Applies to increases taking effect on or after 2027-01-01; because the Branch requires three full months of notice, a notice served from October 2026 onward for a January 2027 increase is governed by this figure rather than the 2026 cap of 2.3%.

Like its 2026 sibling this is one of the most volatile numbers on the site and one a reader acts on directly, so it is watched weekly by audit:fact-drift.

A personal-use eviction in BC now runs on three months of notice with 21 days for the tenant to dispute it, whoever is moving in. That was not always so, and the two cases arrived at it separately. Bill 14 raised both to 4 months on July 18, 2024, from 2 months before that.

A regulation effective August 21, 2024 cut the PURCHASER'S-use notice back to 3 months with a 21-day window, because the 4-month period was blocking first-time buyers who needed vacant possession. A further change effective June 18, 2025 did the same for the LANDLORD'S own or a close family member's use, explicitly to align the two, so the differential no longer exists.

A notice served before June 18, 2025 stays on the old 4-month, 30-day terms. A landlord's-use notice cannot be given at all in a non-strata rental building of five or more units. In either case the new occupant (landlord, close family member, or purchaser) must occupy the unit for at least 12 months; failing to do so entitles the tenant to compensation of 12 months' rent, on top of the one month's rent compensation payable when the notice is served.

Notices must be issued through the province's web portal, introduced to combat fraudulent personal-use evictions.

Effective May 1, 2024 in most BC municipalities. Short-term rentals (under 90 consecutive nights) are restricted to the operator's principal residence, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on that property. Exempts certain communities and land (for example Whistler and ski resort areas). Hosts must register with the Provincial registry, and the Province lists the communities that opt in or out each year. Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) must also register.