SRA Vacancy Control Policy

• For rooms renting at or above $500 per month:
  • Rent can only be increased at tenancy turnover by the current inflation rate in Vancouver 
• For rooms renting above $375 and less than $499 per month:
  • Rent can only be increased at tenancy turnover by the current inflation rate in Vancouver (example: 2.8% as of October 15, 2024) plus 5% (example: 7.8% total)
• For rooms renting below $375 per month:
  • Rent can be increased at tenancy turnover up to a rent of $375 plus the current inflation rate for Vancouver plus 5%

If a room was renting at $350 per month, the landlord can increase rent to $375 plus inflation (2.8% as of October 15) plus 5%. A new rent of $404.25 would be in compliance.

If a room was renting at $465 per month, on or after October 15, 2024, the maximum new rent allowed would be $501.27 per month to be in compliance with this policy (2.8% increase).

Important note Where a rent increase results in a new rent that exceeds $500, the allowable rent increase is capped at $500 + inflation rate.

Important note Tenancies continue to be subject to the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and any rent increases during tenancies must be in compliance with RTA regulations.

Find the current inflation rate

The Province updates the inflation rate External website, opens in new tab on the third week of every month.

The latest inflation rate for Vancouver is 2.8% (released October 15, 2024).

Owners of SRO buildings (many which are older and in need of upgrading) will be able to apply to the City for a rent relaxation between tenancies, after securing approval from the Residential Tenancy Branch to increase rents on the tenanted rooms in the building.

The new vacancy control regulations are applicable to all non-government owned SRA designated rooms that are rented to new tenants after May 14, 2024. SRA owners and operators are responsible for reviewing and abiding by the by-law requirements PDF file (509 KB).

SRA owners and operators are required to submit rent rolls to the City by July 31 of this year, and by January 31 for each year afterwards.

The July 2024 rent roll will be submitted online through the SRA annual rent roll submission portal. City staff will be providing owners with unique login information and additional support to facilitate the submission.

An SRO owner or operator who fails to comply with the new by-law requirements – including by charging rent above the allowed increase, by failing to submit the required rent roll information, or by submitting false or misleading information – may be subject to enforcement.

Enforcement includes prosecution for offences under the new by-laws, convictions on which can attract liability for fines of up to $10,000 per contravention, per day.