Do landlords have the right to increase rent amounts dramatically? If so can they do it without notice?

Question

My friend owns a restaraunt in Calgary, Alberta and the landlord increased his rent to 2-3x the normal ammount. Are they allowed to do this? Is there a way around it. Who does he contact to appeal this?

Answer 1

No the landlord can not increase the rent without notice and they can not increase the rent unless your friend agreed to it in the lease. If your friend is renting month to month the landlord can charge pretty much what he wants. If he is on a lease for a set amount of time (6 months 12 months etc) the landlord can NOT increase the rent for any reason unless there are stipulations in the lease. Has your friend missed or been late on rent payments in the past?