BC Rent Increase History
Every British Columbia maximum allowable rent increase from 2019 to 2026 in one place — including the 2021 rent freeze and the switch to a CPI-based cap. Free to reference and cite.
| Year | Max Increase | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.3% | Set from CPI; announced annually by the province. |
| 2025 | 3.0% | CPI-based cap. |
| 2024 | 3.5% | Capped below the underlying inflation figure. |
| 2023 | 2.0% | Held below CPI to protect renters. |
| 2022 | 1.5% | Reflected lower pandemic-era CPI. |
| 2021 | 0% | Legislated rent freeze (COVID-19 relief). |
| 2020 | 2.6% | Last year under the old CPI + 2% approach before reforms took full effect. |
| 2019 | 2.5% | CPI-based cap after the 2018 formula change. |
How BC sets the cap
Since 2018, British Columbia ties the annual maximum allowable rent increase to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The older formula — CPI plus 2% — was abolished, which generally lowered increases. Two moments stand out in the data: the 2021 rent freeze, a COVID-19 relief measure, and the province's practice of sometimes holding the cap below raw inflation to protect renters.
Using this data
You're welcome to cite this page. For the current-year details — notice periods, what's exempt, and how to respond to an increase — see our BC 2026 rent increase guide and the full BC rent increase rules. Check a specific increase with the Rent Increase Calculator.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Figures should be confirmed against the BC government's annual announcement.