If you’re thinking about raising the rent on your Saskatchewan rental property this year, you’ll want to know the province’s rules surrounding rent increases. Understanding how and when to raise your rent is vital to ensure you don’t break local tenancy laws.
Read on for details on rent control laws in Saskatchewan, how and when to notify your tenants of a rent hike, and key tips to avoid disputes with your tenants when increasing their rents.
2025 updates to Saskatchewan’s rent increase guideline
There’s no rent control in Saskatchewan for residential properties, meaning you can increase rent prices as much as you like in 2025. However, there are restrictions in place that dictate how and when you can do so.
Before implementing a rent increase, you must give your tenants written notice using an approved form. The amount of notice required and how often you can raise rental prices depend primarily on whether the lease is fixed or periodic.
Rent increase guidelines for fixed-term tenancies
No rent increases are allowed during a fixed-term tenancy unless you and your tenants agree on the amount of the raise and the date it takes effect when signing the lease agreement. The only other time you can increase the rent on a fixed-term lease is after the current lease agreement expires. To do so, you must provide your tenants with at least two months’ written notice before the tenancy ends.
Rent increase guidelines for periodic tenancies
Under a periodic tenancy, how often you can increase the rent and the notice you must provide to your tenants depend on whether or not you’re a member of a prescribed landlord association. In Saskatchewan, there are two such associations:
- Saskatchewan Landlord Association (SKLA)
- Network of Non-Profit Housing Providers in Saskatchewan (NPHPS)
If you’re a member of the SKLA or NPHPS, you must give your tenants six months’ written notice before increasing their rent price. You can implement the new amount once 12 months have passed since the tenancy start date and raise it once every six months after that.
If you’re not a member of either organization, the first rent increase may begin only after 18 months of the tenancy start date. From there, you’re restricted to increasing your rent once every 12 months. You must give your tenants at least 12 months’ written notice before the new rent price takes effect.
Rent increase exemptions
A tenant in a subsidized housing program is exempt from the above rules. Instead, their rent can only increase if their household income does.
How to raise rent in Saskatchewan by lease type
Based on fixed-term and periodic leases, here are the steps for raising the rent price for a Saskatchewan rental property in 2025:
Fixed lease
Step 1: Determine your new rent price
Start by figuring out how much to charge for rent. Whatever number you choose should allow you to maintain a healthy profit, but also remain affordable for renters.
First, assess how much you’ve spent maintaining your property during the past year (remember to include the cost of renovations and upgrades). If your expenditures have increased, calculate the amount of rent you’ll need to charge your tenants to maintain your current profit margin.
Next, research rental rates for properties in your area that are similar to yours. Choosing a price that reflects the local competition is crucial to attract tenants.
Step 2: Prepare the notice of rent increase
After determining your new rent price, you must present the information to your tenant in writing using government-approved documentation. For a fixed-term tenancy, you’ll need to complete the following form:
In addition, it’s wise to include an additional document that outlines the reasoning behind your new rent price. By being honest about why you’re asking your tenants to pay more, they’ll be less likely to object—and more willing to renew their lease.
Step 3: Notify your tenants of the rent increase
For a fixed-term tenancy, you must provide your tenants at least two months’ notice before the new rent takes effect. To ensure they receive the news before the deadline expires, deliver the documents in person or by registered mail. Email is also acceptable, but follow up with them to confirm they got your message, as it could end up in their spam.
Periodic lease
Step 1: Determine your new rent price
Before informing your tenants of a rent increase, decide on a suitable new rate. Whatever amount you choose should allow your rental property to stay profitable while encouraging your tenants to renew their lease.
First, evaluate your operating costs. Have they gone up this past year? If so, by how much? Second, examine the state of the rental market in your area. What’s the general trend in pricing? Are rental units similar to yours moving up, and if so, by how much?
Step 2: Prepare the notice of rent increase for your tenants
For a periodic lease in Saskatchewan, you must inform your tenants of a rent increase in writing using an approved form. Depending on whether you’re a member of one of the designated landlord associations, you’ll need to complete one of the two documents below:
While not legally required, it’s worth adding a note explaining the rent increase. You can break down the operating costs that have gone up during the past year and provide examples of local rent fees for comparable rental units. If you can justify your new rent price with compelling data, your tenants will be less likely to complain.
Step 3: Notify your tenants of the rent increase
Once you have your document ready, it’s time to send it to your tenants so they’re aware of the upcoming change. You must give your tenants at least six months’ notice for a periodic tenancy, provided you hold a SKLA or NPHPS membership. If you’re not a member of either organization, you must provide at least 12 months’ notice.
How you deliver the rent increase form is up to you, but ensure it reaches your tenants within the required time frame. If you fail to give them proper notice, they’re legally entitled to a refund of the extra rent paid.
Resolving issues about rent pricing
If you become embroiled in a conflict with your tenants about rent, you can apply to the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) for help. The ORT has the legal power to judge residential tenancy disputes and prescribe settlements up to $30,000. Click here to learn the steps to file a dispute.
Our final thoughts
Saskatchewan is one of the few provinces in Canada where there are no rent control laws. There are rules, however, that you must observe regarding how often you can increase rents, how much notice you must give to your tenants, and what form you must fill out for your new rent fee to be valid.
You must provide a minimum of two months’ notice of an impending rent increase for a fixed-term tenancy, and you can raise the rent only once yearly. For a periodic tenancy, you need to give your tenants at least six months notice, and you can increase their rent every six months, provided you’re a member of SKLA or NPHPS. If you’re not a member, 12 months’ notice is required, and you can raise the price only once per year.
For further details about Saskatchewan’s rent increase laws, visit the Government of Saskatchewan website.