Manitoba’s 2026 Rent Increase Guideline Announced

The Government of Manitoba announced on August 29, 2025, that the allowable rent increase for most residential rental properties will be 1.8% for the year 2026. This guideline, effective January 1, 2026, is calculated using a transparent formula based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Manitoba. It applies to a broad range of rental units, including apartments, single rooms, houses, and duplexes. The rent cap increase is lower than for other provinces who have announced their 2026 caps so far.

Exemptions from the Rent Increase Guideline

Certain rental units are exempt from the annual rent increase guideline. These include rental units with rents of $1,670 or more per month, various types of social housing, units owned and operated by or for provincial, municipal, or federal governments, units in buildings first occupied after March 2005, not-for-profit life lease units, co-operative units, and approved rehabilitated rental units.

Tenant Notification Requirements

Landlords are required to provide tenants with written notice of any rent increase at least three months before the increase takes effect. For instance, to implement a rent increase on January 1, 2026, landlords must notify tenants by September 30, 2025. Additionally, with few exceptions, rent can only be increased once per year.

Historical Rent Increases in Manitoba

Manitoba aims to balance tenant affordability with landlord interests. In 2022 and 2023, the province implemented a rent freeze, allowing no increases. This was followed by a 3% cap in 2024, which was notably below the Manitoba Consumer Price Index. The 2025 guideline was set at 1.7%, reflecting a cautious approach.

For more detailed information on Manitoba’s rent increase guidelines, you can visit the official Residential Tenancies Branch website.

Comparison with Other Provinces

British Columbia

The Government of British Columbia has announced that the allowable rent increase for residential tenancies will be 2.3% for the year 2026, effective January 1, 2026. This guideline is calculated using a formula based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for British Columbia.

Exemptions

Certain rental units are exempt from the annual rent increase guideline. These include rental units with rents of $1,670 or more per month, various types of social housing, units owned and operated by or for provincial, municipal, or federal governments, units in buildings first occupied after March 2005, not-for-profit life lease units, co-operative units, and approved rehabilitated rental units.

Tenant Notification Requirements

Landlords are required to provide tenants with written notice of any rent increase at least three months before the increase takes effect. For instance, to implement a rent increase on January 1, 2026, landlords must notify tenants by September 30, 2025. Additionally, similarly to Manitoba, with few exceptions, rent can only be increased once per year. 

Ontario

The Government of Ontario has announced that the allowable rent increase for residential tenancies will be 2.1% for the year 2026, effective January 1, 2026. This guideline is calculated using a transparent formula based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Ontario.

Exemptions

Certain rental units are exempt from the annual rent increase guideline. These include rental units with rents of $1,670 or more per month, various types of social housing, units owned and operated by or for provincial, municipal, or federal governments, units in buildings first occupied after March 2005, not-for-profit life lease units, co-operative units, and approved rehabilitated rental units.

Tenant Notification Requirements

Landlords are required to provide tenants with written notice of any rent increase at least three months before the increase takes effect. For instance, to implement a rent increase on January 1, 2026, landlords must notify tenants by September 30, 2025. Again, with few exceptions, rent can only be increased once per year.