Renting in Duncan in 2026

Duncan itself is a compact city of about 5,700 people as of Statistics Canada's 2025 estimate, but that figure understates its role: Duncan is the recognized retail and service hub for the much larger Cowichan Valley, about 45 minutes north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. Renters searching "Duncan" are often really looking at the wider Cowichan Valley rental market that Duncan anchors.

Cowichan Tribes and Cowichan District Hospital are the area's major employers, with the hospital currently being rebuilt at a new site. Duncan's own rental stock is small and tight given the city's tiny land area, so renters frequently look just outside city limits into the surrounding Cowichan Valley Regional District for a wider selection of houses and apartments while still counting Duncan as their local hub.

The local economy runs on the following:

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  Cowichan Tribes
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  Cowichan District Hospital (Island Health), currently being rebuilt with a new facility targeted for the late 2020s
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  Regional agriculture across the Cowichan Valley

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  Duncan's "City of Totems" collection, one of Canada's largest downtown totem pole displays, designated in 1985
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  The Cowichan Valley Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail network
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  Cowichan Lake, about 25 minutes west of downtown Duncan

Every rental in Duncan is governed by the BC Residential Tenancy Act. Key rules that apply regardless of town size:

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  Rent increases are capped at 2.3% for 2026 and 2.2% for 2027.Once every 12 months, with at least 3 full months' written notice.
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  Security deposit capped at half a month's rent.A separate pet damage deposit, also capped at half a month's rent, is allowed on top of it.
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  Landlord entry requires 24 hours' written notice.For repairs, showings, or inspections.
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  Disputes go to the RTB.A $100 flat fee applies to file a Dispute Resolution application.
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  A condition inspection report is required at move-in and move-out.If a landlord skips it, they forfeit the right to claim against the deposit for damage.

Deep guides for each of these topics are in the SQRFT guide library.

• Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile
• School District 79 (Cowichan Valley)
• BC RTB