Rent Increases in Manitoba
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Most provinces limit how much and how often your landlord can raise the rent. In general, rent can only go up once every 12 months, and your landlord must give you written notice — usually 90 days in advance.
Rent control varies across the country:
- Ontario: Annual guideline (published each August for the following year) — applies only to units first occupied before November 2018. Newer units have no cap.
- British Columbia: Annual maximum set by the province each year (tied to CPI).
- Manitoba: Annual guideline set by the Residential Tenancies Branch.
- Alberta and Saskatchewan: No rent increase cap at all.
- Quebec: Has advisory guidelines — tenants can challenge increases at the TAL.
Ontario allows vacancy decontrol, which means landlords can set any rent they want for a new tenant after the previous one moves out.
When does it apply?
- Applies to ongoing residential tenancies, not the initial rent when you first sign a lease.
- Your landlord can only raise rent once every 12 months.
- Rules apply differently depending on your province and when your building was constructed.
What should you do?
- Check if your unit is rent-controlled — in Ontario, units first occupied after November 2018 are exempt from the guideline.
- Verify the notice was proper — correct form, correct amount of advance notice, correct increase amount.
- If the increase is above the guideline, file a dispute with your provincial tribunal.
- Continue paying your current rent while the dispute is being resolved.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't ignore a rent increase notice — in Quebec, failure to respond within the deadline counts as acceptance.
- Don't assume your unit is rent-controlled — always check based on your province and the age of the building.
- Don't pay an illegal increase without filing a dispute first.
- Don't accept a verbal rent increase — your landlord must provide written notice on the proper form.
How Manitoba differs from federal law
Manitoba has a rent regulation system administered by the Residential Tenancies Branch. While Manitoba does not have traditional rent control like Ontario, it does regulate how and when rent can be increased.
- A landlord can only increase rent once every 12 months and must give at least 3 months' written notice.
- Each year the province publishes a rent increase guideline. For increases at or below the guideline, the landlord only needs to give proper notice. The guideline is typically tied to the Consumer Price Index.
- For increases above the guideline, the landlord must apply to the RTB for approval and justify the increase (e.g., major capital expenditures, increased operating costs). Tenants can oppose the application at the RTB hearing.
- There is no cap on initial rent — when you move into a new unit, the landlord can charge whatever the market bears. Rent regulation applies to subsequent increases during your tenancy.
- Some newer units (occupied after a certain date) and certain types of housing may be exempt from the guideline, depending on current regulations.
Additional Steps in Manitoba
If your landlord increases rent without proper notice, by more than the guideline without RTB approval, or more than once in 12 months, contact the Residential Tenancies Branch at 204-945-2476 or 1-800-782-8403. You can challenge an above-guideline increase by attending the RTB hearing.
Relevant Law: Residential Tenancies Act, CCSM c. R119.3, ss. 31–40 (Rent Regulation)
Common Questions
When does rent increases apply?
Applies to ongoing residential tenancies, not the initial rent when you first sign a lease.Your landlord can only raise rent once every 12 months.Rules apply differently depending on your province and when your building was constructed.
What should I do about rent increases?
Check if your unit is rent-controlled — in Ontario, units first occupied after November 2018 are exempt from the guideline.Verify the notice was proper — correct form, correct amount of advance notice, correct increase amount.If the increase is above the guideline, file a dispute with your provincial tribunal.Continue paying your current rent while the dispute is being resolved.
What mistakes should I avoid with rent increases?
Don't ignore a rent increase notice — in Quebec, failure to respond within the deadline counts as acceptance.Don't assume your unit is rent-controlled — always check based on your province and the age of the building.Don't pay an illegal increase without filing a dispute first.Don't accept a verbal rent increase — your landlord must provide written notice on the proper form.
Legal Resources
We may earn a commission if you use these services — at no extra cost to you. This supports our mission to make legal information free for everyone.