Renting in Canada Roundup: Long-Term Renters Need More Love

Are long-term renters in Toronto being shown enough love? Is rent-to-own in Canada an innovative, accessible strategy? And should renters tackle those nasty apartment pests on their own?

As always, this week's Renting in Canada roundup has the answers for domestic, newcomer, and international student renters.

Here's our look at what's making news in Canada's rental market as the weather improves every weekend and the election nears:

According to CBC News, disputes between tenants and landlords over security deposits are frequent. But do they need to be?

Rent-to-own can be a smart strategy for newcomers to Canada who want to enter the country's housing market but lack the necessary down payment.

Renters may want to deal with a pest infestation on their own, writes Elana Shepert in Vancouver is Awesome, but taking matters into their own hands may not be the best course of action, and they may not be covered for their expenses.

It's tax season, and Evelyn Jacks of Money Sense says here's what landlords and property owners should be thinking about.

Here's a powerful piece from Global News in Saskatoon about the reality of renting while homeless.

According to Adam Bisby's story in the National Post, one major developer thinks Toronto needs more high-quality, purpose-built rentals that cater to long-term renters,

While Toronto's condo market stalls, purpose-built rental tower projects heat up, according to the Daily Commercial News.

These renters in Winnipeg are showcasing their Canadian pride for all to see, according to CBC News.

A senior couple in Dartmouth, N.S., says they are living in a financial nightmare as they wait for their case to be heard in front of Nova Scotia’s tenancy board, reports Ella Macdonald of Global News. Janice and Ed Lalonde say they’re paying rent for two apartments, despite being locked out of one of them.

Is co-operative rental housing a solution to Canada's affordability issues? According to an article by Tim Ross in iPolitics, recent polling shows 73 per cent of Canadians think co-op and non-profit housing is a viable solution to the housing crisis, and more than 60 per cent want to see more of it built.

For newcomers, tenant insurance in Canada is an excellent way to protect your belongings with peace of mind, and most Canadian landlords insist on it.

According to Daniel Aizikov, author of Rentsync's Monthly National Demand Report, a full recovery to pre-2024 rental demand levels is unlikely. The decline in immigration is a key factor.

Surrey, B.C., is a popular destination for immigrants, and the city council has just approved the construction of 350 new rental homes on city land.

For newcomers and international students arriving in Canada, here's everything you need to know to find that first rental home.

Finally, if you're a renter in Canada, have your say about renting, affordability and housing by voting in the federal election. Here's how you can vote, according to Elections Canada. Plus, everything renters need to know about Election Day, April 29 from the Toronto Star.

Steve Tustin is the Content Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.

Rentals for Newcomers provides rental solutions for newcomers and is powered by Rentsync, a North American market leader for property technology within the multifamily apartment industry. This gives Rentals for Newcomers access to the latest rental technology, tools, insights, and trends.