Starting January 1, 2027, more Manitoba renters, including those in Selkirk, will be protected from sudden rent hikes as the provincial government raises the rent control threshold from $1,670 to $2,000 per month.
Public Service Delivery Minister Mintu Sandhu announced the change on September 3, 2026, describing it as the largest expansion of rent control in decades. At least 2,000 additional rental units across the province will now fall under rent control rules. The change is made through an amendment to the Residential Rent Regulation under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Under the new rules, landlords can only raise rent once per year, and the 2027 rent increase guideline is set at three per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in 2026. Tenants whose rent is going up on January 1 must receive written notice by September 30, 2026.
Selkirk renters stand to benefit directly. Average one-bedroom apartments in the city rent for about $1,691 per month, which is below the new $2,000 threshold. This means more Selkirk tenants will be covered by rent control and protected from large, unexpected increases.
Not all rental units are included. Units less than 20 years old remain exempt, as do social housing, government-owned units, co-ops, and approved rehabilitated rental complexes. The Right to Housing Coalition supports the expansion but wants the government to go further by removing the threshold entirely. Meanwhile, the Professional Property Managers Association warns the changes could discourage property improvements and new housing.
