B.C. Caps Rent Hikes Between Tenants

Summary#

This bill would change British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Act to add “vacancy control.” It would stop landlords from raising the rent a lot when a tenant moves out. Instead, the rent for that unit could only go up by the same yearly limit that applies when the same tenant stays. The law would take effect as soon as it gets Royal Assent.

• Caps the rent on a unit after a move-out to roughly the last rent plus the annual increase allowed by the province.
• Applies to rental homes covered by B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act.
• Keeps future rent increases tied to the unit, not the tenant.
• Does not change how the yearly cap is set; it only applies that cap when a unit turns over.
• Takes effect immediately once passed and signed.

What it means for you#

• Renters

  • When you move, the new rent for that unit could not jump far above what the last tenant paid. It would be limited to the usual annual cap.
  • You may see fewer very large rent hikes between tenancies, which can make budgeting for a move easier.
  • The rules that already limit rent increases while you stay in your home would continue.

• Landlords and property managers

  • You could not reset the rent to “market” when a tenant leaves. The new rent would be limited to about the prior rent plus the annual guideline.
  • You would need to keep and use rent history for each unit to set lawful rents after turnover.
  • Business plans that rely on higher rents between tenancies would need to be adjusted.

• People seeking housing

  • Advertised rents for recently vacated units would likely be closer to what the last tenant paid, not a large step up.
  • Initial rents for brand‑new units are not addressed here; the cap would apply after those units first become vacant.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Helps keep homes affordable by stopping big rent jumps when tenants move.
• Reduces pressure on tenants to accept unsafe or unfair conditions just to avoid a huge rent increase elsewhere.
• Cuts the financial incentive to push tenants out (“renovictions” or other tactics) to reset rents.
• Gives renters, students, and newcomers more predictable costs when they need to move.
• Keeps neighborhoods stable by slowing rapid rent escalation on similar units.

Opponents' View#

• May discourage owners from offering or maintaining rental units if they cannot raise rents to cover costs after turnover.
• Could reduce new rental construction, since future returns on units would be lower.
• Landlords might respond with higher initial rents, stricter screening, or added fees, making access harder for some renters.
• Enforcement could be challenging without clear rent‑history records and strong oversight.
• Might lead some owners to convert units to other uses (e.g., short‑term rentals or ownership housing), shrinking the long‑term rental supply.