Rent Guideline Update: Manitoba Announces Three Percent Increase for 2024

The province of Manitoba, through the Consumer Protection and Government Services, has officially announced a three per cent increase in the rent guideline for 2024, effective from January 1.

This increase, the first since 2021 following two years at zero per cent, is determined based on the annual Manitoba Consumer Price Index and will apply to a wide array of residential rental properties encompassing apartments, single rooms, houses, and duplexes.

The guideline is established annually, referencing the Manitoba Consumer Price Index. Although the actual inflation rate surpasses three per cent, the increase guideline conforms to the Bank of Canada’s target inflation range, from one to three per cent.

Despite the new guideline, several rental unit categories remain exempt. This includes units renting for over $1,615 per month, various forms 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.

The province says tenants are protected by this new guideline, with a provision that requires landlords to provide at least a three-month written notice before effecting any rent increase. Additionally, barring a few exceptions, rent increases can only occur once annually. For instance, to effect the new rent from Jan. 1, 2024, tenants must receive the notification by Sept. 30, 2023.

Landlords, under certain circumstances, can apply for a rise beyond the three per cent guideline. If landlords can demonstrate that the guideline doesn’t cover the cost increases they’ve incurred, they may request a higher increase.

Both landlords and tenants are encouraged to reach out to the Residential Tenancies Branch for more information on rent increases, and to understand their respective rights and responsibilities better.