No rent hikes above cap unless Manitoba regulator-approved

You can feel it while you walk. Aiden Wilson's landlord wants to jack up his rent by over 50%. Under current rules, Wilson could start paying that increase in November, even if the regulator hasn't approved it. But the government says that's changing. From today on, tenants will no longer be asked to pay for an above-guideline rent ruling before an order has ever been adjudicated. Wilson recently showed us his West Broadway apartment building. He argued upgrades like wobbly steps and peeling paint aren't worth a $500 increase to his monthly rent. He might still get hit with that increase, but first, the residential tenancies branch will determine if it's fair. Today I'm proud to say that we spoke up. Wilson says some neighbors couldn't wait for the regulator's order, which could be months from now. For some, the only choice has been to leave the homes and the community where they have been for many years. But the head of a landlord association says his industry is being unfairly punished. With backlogs at the residential tenancies branch now running almost a year, Avram Chirac says landlords could miss out on months of justifiable rent increases. What the government is saying is their inability to do their job means that landlords are not going to be able to charge the rents. The province is also reducing the cost of building upgrades that can be passed on to renters. Kanu says he's heard landlords' complaints, but says renters are the ones who need help now. Ian Fraser, CBC News, Winnipeg.