Manitoba Expands Rent Control

The Manitoba government is expanding provincial rent control rules in what it calls the largest increase in renter protections in decades.

Beginning January 1, 2027, the monthly rent exemption threshold will rise from $1,670 to $2,000, meaning thousands more rental units will fall under Manitoba’s rent regulation system.

Public Service Delivery Minister Mintu Sandhu said the change is designed to help keep housing affordable for renters across the province.

“This is the largest expansion of rent control in decades, and it will mean lower costs for thousands of families,” said Sandhu. “With stronger protections for renters, we’re making it easier to afford a good home.”

🏠 More Rental Units Covered

Under Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Act, rent-controlled units are subject to annual rent increase guidelines established by the province.

By raising the exemption threshold to $2,000 per month, more rental properties will become subject to those rules, providing additional protection against large rent increases.

The government says the move is intended to preserve affordability as housing costs continue to be a concern for many Manitobans.

📈 2027 Rent Increase Guideline Set at 3%

The province has also announced that the rent increase guideline for 2027 will be three per cent.

The annual guideline is calculated using a formula based on changes in Manitoba’s Consumer Price Index and is capped within the Bank of Canada’s inflation-control range of one to three per cent.

The guideline applies to most residential rental properties, including:

• Apartments
• Houses
• Duplexes
• Single-room rental accommodations

🚫 Exemptions Remain in Place

Several categories of housing will continue to be exempt from the annual rent increase guideline, including:

• Various forms of social housing
• Rental units owned or operated by municipal, provincial, or federal governments
• Buildings first occupied after March 2005, which remain exempt for 20 years
• Not-for-profit life-lease units
• Housing co-operatives
• Approved rehabilitated rental units and residential rent complexes

🗣️ Public Input Helped Shape Changes

The Manitoba government says it consulted renters, landlords, service providers, and other stakeholders before making the changes.

Feedback was also collected through the province’s EngageMB platform as part of the review process.

📅 Notice Requirements for Rent Increases

Tenants must receive written notice of a rent increase at least three months before it takes effect.

For example, if a landlord plans to increase rent on January 1, 2027, tenants must be notified no later than September 30, 2026.

In most cases, rent can only be increased once during a 12-month period.

ℹ️ More Information

Landlords and tenants seeking information about rent increases and tenancy rights can contact the Residential Tenancies Branch or visit the province’s website at Residential Tenancies Branch.

The new rent control expansion and 2027 rent guideline will take effect January 1, 2027.