How will the CPI affect rents in Colombia in 2026?

If you live in a rented apartment or house, or own a property, this topic is relevant to you. Each year, rent can be adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key indicator that directly impacts rental prices.

According to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), the 2026 CPI is 5.1%. This percentage is the maximum that can be applied to the increase in rent for urban housing contracts.

This adjustment affects both landlords and tenants, who must prepare for the new rates. It's important to clarify that this increase only applies to residential properties and is not mandatory for commercial properties, such as offices, warehouses, medical offices, or retail spaces for rent in Medellín, Pereira, or Bogotá.

Below, we tell you everything you need to know about the rent increase in 2026.

When can the rent be increased?

According to Law 820 of 2003, which regulates urban residential rentals in Colombia, the rent can only be adjusted once every 12 months, counted from the start date of the contract or from the last increase.

Furthermore, the increase cannot exceed 100% of the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning a maximum of 5.1% in 2026, and the new rate also cannot exceed the legal limits established according to the property's assessed value.

Example: If your apartment rental contract in Sabaneta was signed in September 2025, the landlord can only implement the rent increase starting in September 2026.

Is the rent increase mandatory?

It's very important to understand that the increase is neither automatic nor mandatory.

The property owner can decide whether or not to implement it and can also set a lower percentage, as long as it doesn't exceed the legal maximum of 5.1%.

However, if an increase is going to be implemented, the landlord must inform the tenant in advance of the new amount and the effective date. This notification must be sent via an authorized postal service or through the method agreed upon in the contract (email, for example).

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How does the rent increase work for commercial properties?

In the case of commercial properties—such as offices, medical practices, warehouses, or retail spaces—there is no law limiting the percentage increase.