The rental market is changing, and with that, increasing the rent may be a route you need to take as a landlord.

Even if there is no cap to the amount a landlord can raise the rent, landlords are encouraged to be reasonable when doing so. There are strict and important rules outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act of Alberta about how and when a rental increase can be done. Do you know the rules?

Fixed-Term Tenancies

The rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term tenancy. The rent can be increased if the following criteria are met:

• upon a new lease being signed when the current one ends; and
• 365 days or more have passed since the last rent increase took effect or since the tenancy began.

How much notice is needed? No notice period is required. However, the CRRA recommends communicating with your tenants in writing to state your intent up to three [3] months prior to the lease ending.

Periodic (Month-to-Month) Tenancies

The rent can be increased during a periodic tenancy if the following criteria are met:

• Three (3) Tenancy Months’ notice of the increase in rent is given in writing to the tenant; and
• 365 days or more have passed since the last rent increase took effect or since the tenancy began.

What is a tenancy month? A tenancy month is defined as the timeframe beginning on the day the rent is due and ending on the day before the next rent becomes due.