My region has legal language called the Landlord and Tenant Act, which prohibits the landlord from raising the rent by more than 2% per year. When one vacates, the new tenant of course will have their rent start at 'market rate', but at least while living there one's rent is protected. As well, if reno-victed, the tenant must be given similar space for similar rent once renos are complete.

This falls down a bit, as transgressors get to go against an adjudication panel, and that sometimes goes all-in for the landlords. But mostly it keeps the dickishness down.