A 1% Safety Net: What it means for renters in 2026

Rental Cap 2026: Quick Facts

- By HENRY L. YAP, EUAP, FPIEP, EAROPH

Starting January 1, 2026, and through December 31, 2026, the maximum rent increase for tenants who pay P10,000 or less each month will be lowered to one percent. This change is designed to offer a vital safety net for families struggling with the increasing cost of living.

The new rate, approved by the National Human Settlements Board (NHSB) through Resolution No. 2024-001, reinforces the State's commitment to affordable housing and social protection. It restricts the permissible annual increase for the most vulnerable renters and protects low-income groups from unreasonable rent hikes.

The authority for this regulation is derived from the Rent Control Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 9653), which granted the then Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and now NHSB, through Republic Act No. 11201, the authority to regulate rental rates.

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