The new Manitoba rent guideline, which will come into effect in 2015, has been set at 2.4 per cent, based on a formula linked with the consumer price index (CPI). The guideline applies to residential rental properties including apartments, single rooms, houses and duplexes.

“We consulted extensively with renters and property managers who overwhelmingly agreed about the importance of creating a formula that would improve transparency around rent increases and create more certainty about what to expect from year to year,” says Ron Lemieux, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection. “Linking the guideline to the consumer price index accomplishes that and maintains Winnipeg as among the most affordable major city for renters in Canada.”

On August 1, the Manitoba government amended its Residential Tenancies Amendment Act to offer increased protection for rental tenants and landlords. The new regulatory changes, which will add to these amendments on January 1, 2015, will not apply to personal care homes, non-profit housing with subsidized rent and approved rehabilitated rental units, to name a few.

With the new rent guideline, tenants must be given written notice of an impending rent increase at least three months prior to it taking effect. Rent can only be increased once per year.

“By raising the rent level that allows landlords to be exempt from the guidelines to $1,435 from $1,395 per month, about 1,000 more properties will be protected from large rent increases,” says Lemieux. “Manitoba is committed to an ongoing monitoring process to ensure the new CPI-based method for setting the guideline continues to provide a fair and balanced approach for renters and landlords.”