British Columbia (BC) Rent Increase

Inflation has caused a significant rise in prices across Canada. That effect is particularly noticeable regarding the cost of rent in provinces like British Columbia, where many of the country’s most expensive cities are located. For example, the average cost to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in Vancouver is $2,653. With rent so high, many residents are having trouble finding affordable housing this year, especially with the 2024 BC rent increase.  

BC Recent Increase: What Can You Expect To Pay?

For 2024, the maximum legal rent increase for residential tenancies in BC is 3.5%. If you’re a tenant in a manufactured home park, the same 3.5% limit will apply, plus a proportional amount to compensate for changes in the local government levies and regulated utility fees.    

Can Your Landlord Increase Your Rent In BC?

Yes, but under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords can only raise their rent once every 12 months. Rent increases can only be applied 12 months after the date that:

• The rent was increased legally

OR

• The current rent was established with their existing tenants 

How To Calculate Your BC Rent Increase

In BC, landlords aren’t allowed to increase the rent above the legal limit or round up when calculating the permissible rent increase. Here’s a basic example:

• As a tenant, you normally pay $2,500 for a 1-bedroom rental in Vancouver 
• Your landlord charges you the 2024 maximum rent increase of 3.5%
• 3.5% of $2,500 is $87.5, meaning your rent can’t increase past $2,587.5 a month

If you’d like to calculate your BC rent increase amount, you can use this online calculator provided by the BC Government. Simply input a few key details about your rent and they’ll provide you with details on how much your rent amount can increase and the rules surrounding it. 

BC Rent Increase: Over The Years

According to the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC), the legal rent increase limit in BC has fluctuated over the last decade or so: 

BC Rent Increase Notices

By law, BC landlords must give tenants at least 3 full rental months’ notice before they raise the rent. If you normally pay your rent on the first day of the month and your landlord sends you a rent increase notice on June 20 this year, your rent won’t officially go up until October 1, 2024 (once July, August, and September have passed in full).  

What Can You Do If You Can’t Afford Your BC Rent Increase?

Landlords use rent payments to cover the cost of owning and managing their property.  

Not collecting rent on time may cause problems for your landlord. Which can lead them to take action against you. So, if you can’t afford your BC rent increase, consider these alternatives:    

Speaking To Your Landlord

Start by getting in touch with your landlord and explaining your situation to them. If you’ve been a good tenant otherwise, they may be sympathetic and waive the increase. Rather than going through the trouble of finding another renter to occupy your dwelling.  

BC Rental Assitant Program (RAP)

The RAP is designed to help families pay their monthly rent. The amount you can get under the program depends on your income and family size. To be eligible for the program, you must have a gross income of no more than $40,000 and you must have at least one dependent child.

To apply for the program, you’ll have to download and fill out the BC Rental Assistance Program application form. Once completed, you’ll have to scan and upload the form to the RAP platform. 

Getting A Personal Loan

A personal loan is a lump sum of money that you repay in fixed installments with interest. Once they’ve been deposited into your bank account. You can use the funds to spread out the cost of your BC rent increase. For example, if you ever lose your job or just need a few months to recuperate from a financial problem.

Here’s a quick example to show you how a personal loan can help you cover your rent:

• You’re renting a 1-bedroom dwelling for $2,000 a month
• If you take out a $10,000 loan, you can cover your rent payments for 5 months
• If you qualify for an interest rate of 5%, you’ll pay $299.71 a month for 3 years, instead of $2,000 a month for 5 months.

A personal loan can be a great alternative, especially if you have a good credit score of around 660 – 900 and can qualify for a low-interest rate. Unfortunately, that may be tough if your score is bad (roughly 300 – 600). So, before you apply, it’s important to check your credit score with Canada’s credit bureaus or a free platform like CompareHub.           

Using A Credit Card

Most landlords don’t let tenants pay rent via credit card. Cheques, direct deposits, or cash are usually preferred. However, there are third-party apps and rent pay services in Canada that can collect your credit card information and send your rent payment to your landlord in exchange for a fee. Your landlord will then receive payment 2 to 7 days later. 

Here are some popular rent payment apps and services in Canada:

While these are legitimate services, using your credit card to pay rent can lead to fees and high-interest charges if you don’t pay off your balance by the due date. Nonetheless, life can often be unpredictable and leave us with a lack of funds after a medical emergency, car breakdown, or other crises. If you’re low on cash and need help paying your rent this month, then using your credit card may be a good option.

Additional Reading

Best Tenant Insurance Providers In Canada

What Happens If Your Landlord Sells The Property You Are Renting?

Can A Landlord Say “No” To Overnight Guests?

Expecting A Rent Increase In British Columbia?

If your landlord is about to impose a BC rent increase that you can’t afford, it’s important to take action immediately. Speak with your landlord and make sure the rent increase is legal. Furthermore, don’t forget about the variety of options available. From taking on a roommate to using a personal loan. 

BC Rent Increase FAQs