January 1st, 2013
How Much Are you Going to Raise the Rent in 2013?
Aren’t There Controls on How Much You Can Raise The Rent, Like In British Columbia and Ontario?
No. There are no rent controls in Alberta. This allows Alberta landlords the ability to maintain stable and profitable rental properties. This is especially important if you get bad tenants.
That’s Amazing! So I Can Raise the Rent Whenever I Want To?
No, there are rules you need to follow.
Rent can only be increased if there has not been a rent increase within the previous 365 days or since the start of the tenancy, whichever is later.
Are Their Other Rules?
Before the rent can be increased the landlord must give proper written notice. For mobile home sites, 180 days notice must be given by the landlord to raise the rent.
1. weekly tenancy – 12 weeks
2. monthly tenancy – 3 months
3. periodic tenancy – 90 days
What If the Tenants Disagree?
If the tenant does not want to pay the increased amount of rent, or if the tenant cannot afford to pay the increased rent, then the tenant can:
#1 Try negotiating with the landlord to see if less rent can be paid
or
#2 End the tenancy (the tenant must give the proper amount of notice to end the tenancy).
If the tenant remains living on the property then the tenant must pay the increased rent when it is due. If the tenant does not pay, then the landlord can terminate the tenancy for non-payment of rent.
That Seems Very Fair. How Do Things Work In Other Provinces?
Other Canadian provinces have what is called “Rent Control.” This means the government mandates who much you can raise the rent each year.
The Government Tells Private Landlords What They Can Charge?
Yes. Here are the 2013 rent increase guidelines for other provinces.
In British Columbia, landlords can raise the rent by 3.8% in 2013.
In Ontario, landlords can only raise the rent by 2.5% in 2013 because rental rates are capped at that amount no matter how much landlord costs have gone up.
In Manitoba where they have an NDP government you can only raise the rent by 1% in 2013.
