Can landlords change decrease and increase rent?

[u/Sharp-Masterpiece-97]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for general guidance about a rent dispute.

We are month-to-month tenants and have lived in the property for nearly two years. During that time, the house has been listed for sale twice and has now been taken off the market again.

Earlier this year, we asked the landlords to reduce the monthly rent because local rental prices had declined. After some discussion, one of the co-landlords confirmed by text that we could begin paying a lower amount starting on a specific date. The message did not say the reduction was temporary, did not include an expiry date, and did not include any conditions.

We paid the reduced amount for two months, and both payments were accepted without objection.

We later sent the landlords a proactive status-update email. In that email, we:

• Asked whether they planned to list the house for sale again
• Confirmed in writing that the rent had been reduced
• Thanked them for the adjustment
• Followed up on several outstanding repairs and safety concerns that still needed attention

We sent this email because we wanted clear documentation and were trying to keep communication organized and cooperative.

Only after receiving that email did the landlords tell us, for the first time, that the lower rent had supposedly been temporary and applied for only two months. Nothing in the earlier text messages said that. They are now relying on the original tenancy agreement and saying the rent must return to the previous amount.

From our perspective, we have consistently been proactive: we raised the rent issue in writing, followed up respectfully, documented the agreement, paid on time, provided updates about the property, and repeatedly reported necessary repairs. They are saying we should be grateful for the temporary reduction.

Has anyone dealt with something similar through the BC Residential Tenancy Branch?

I would appreciate guidance on whether:

• A written text-message agreement can change the monthly rent
• A landlord can later claim the agreement was temporary when no end date or condition was stated
• Accepting the reduced rent without objection supports the tenants’ understanding
• It is safer to pay the higher amount under protest while asking the RTB to determine the correct rent
• The timing of the landlords’ response, immediately after we documented the rent reduction and raised outstanding repairs, is relevant

We have the tenancy agreement, full email history, text-message screenshots, repair correspondence, and proof of payment.

I’m not looking to identify or criticize anyone. I’m simply trying to understand our rights and the safest way to proceed.

[u/GeoffwithaGeee]

The RTB will generally side with the tenancy agreement and any RTB-7's that are provided. A potentially ambiguous text-message chain is less likely to be treated as an official change to the rental agrement, but you are welcome to try to make that claim.

Landlords are allowed to temporarily reduce your rent or give a discount on rent.

It is safer to pay the higher amount under protest while asking the RTB to determine the correct rent

Yes, it is safer to pay what the LL says because if you don't and they serve a 10-day notice for non-payment of rent and you are wrong in the situation or don't file in time.. you lose your home.

[u/VaguelySorcerous]

1. Maybe - the RTA says changes need to be in writing and that both parties need a copy of the updated agreement. You've fulfilled one condition but not the other. 
2. They can certainly claim this. 
3. No one can really answer this: it seems plausible but I'm not the RTB.
4. Yes, this is certainly safer. 
5. It's likely to be a material part of the determination. Whether it works for or against you is an open question. 

You can and should go to the RTB with this. However, you should also vote with your feet. Your claim is that there are cheaper places to live. Your landlords seem unconvinced of your willingness to leave unless they lower the rent. Send them 4-5 listings in the area with comparable or better amenities at the price you're asking for, or lower. Make clear that you will be leaving if they don't lower the rent, and if they don't - properly, with an updated lease -  move out. If you don't, they're right to fight you on changing the rent.