FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - The B.C. government says the maximum allowable annual rent increase for 2027 will be 2.2 per cent. That’s down slightly from the 2.3 per cent cap in 2026.
The province said the yearly allowable increases are tied to the rate of inflation and takes effect on January 1, 2027.
According to the province, this marks the seventh consecutive year that the maximum allowable rent increase has been capped at or below the rate of inflation.
Housing Minister Christine Boyle said the policy is intended to help renters manage rising living costs while allowing landlords to maintain rental properties.
For renters in Northeast B.C., the increase would translate into relatively modest monthly increases if landlords choose to raise rents by the maximum amount permitted.
What a 2.2 per cent increase would look like
In Fort St. John, one-bedroom apartments currently average about $1,163 per month.
A 2.2 per cent increase would add roughly $25.59 per month, bringing the average monthly rent to approximately $1,188.59.
A typical two-bedroom apartment renting for $1,425 per month would increase by about $31.35 per month, reaching roughly $1,456.35 if the full increase were applied.
In Dawson Creek, a one-bedroom apartment averaging $1,203 per month would rise by about $26.47 monthly, bringing the rent to approximately $1,229.47.
Meanwhile, a two-bedroom unit averaging $1,388 per month would increase by about $30.54 per month, to approximately $1,418.54.
Rules for landlords
The 2.2 per cent increase is the maximum annual increase allowed under provincial rules. Landlords are not required to increase rent, but if they choose to do so, they must provide tenants with at least three months’ notice and can only increase rent once every 12 months.
The province says the allowable increase is based on the 12-month average percentage change in B.C.’s Consumer Price Index ending in July of the previous year.