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 for Vancouver External website, opens in new tab 
• For rooms renting above $375 and less than $500 per month:
  • Rent can only be increased at tenancy turnover by the current inflation rate for Vancouver (example: 4.9% as of July 20, 2022) plus 5% (example: 9.9% total)
• For rooms renting below $375 per month (the current shelter component of income assistance):
  • Rent can be increased at tenancy turnover any amount up to a rent of $375 per month

For example, if a room that was renting at $500 per month is being re-rented on or after December 8, the maximum new rent allowed would be $549.50 per month to be in compliance with this policy (4.9% increase).

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 4.9% (released July 20, 2022).

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 December 8, 2021. SRA owners and operators are responsible for reviewing and abiding by the new by-law requirements PDF file (509 KB).

More information on the policy can be found in the November 4, 2021, staff report to council PDF file (559 KB).

SRA owners and operators are now required to submit rent rolls to the City by January 31 of every year.

The January 2022 rent roll will be submitted online through the SRA annual rent roll submission portal. City staff will be providing owners with 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.