The Manitoba government has announced that it is changing regulations to cut above-guideline rent increases by 40 per cent and strengthen protections for renters.
“Nowadays, everyone is struggling with the rising cost of living,” said Kinew. “These new rules help keep rent more affordable for Manitobans and provide more stability for renters and seniors.”
The regulation changes will impose new limits on above-guideline rent increases for capital expenses, reducing the cost that can be passed on to renters by 40 per cent.
“When our landlord told us our rent would go up by $500 a month, before the Residential Tenancy Branch had even ruled on the application, we were shocked,” said Aidan Wilson, renter advocate. “For so many of our neighbours this was the worst-case scenario. We came together, got organized and Premier Kinew listened. There’s more work to do, but this is a good day for renters, and it will help keep rent more affordable.”
The Manitoba government is making an additional policy change effective immediately, as tenants are no longer required to pay any increase prior to the Residential Tenancy Branch ruling on applications by landlords.
“We’ve been hearing stories from Manitobans who are being asked to pay huge rent increases, sometimes as high as $500 a month before a ruling has even been made,” said Public Service Delivery Minister Mintu Sandhu. “So, we are changing this.”
These steps build on changes made earlier this year that increased the rent control threshold to $2,000 from $1,670, expanding rent control protections to thousands more households.
The Manitoba government is also increasing the Renters Affordability Tax credit to $675 and issuing benefit cheques to Manitobans, the premier noted, adding the changes ensure renters receive the benefit upfront throughout the year.
