Renting in Canada Roundup: Is Renting Like Burning Money?

How will looming U.S. tariffs affect rent prices in Canada? Which Canadian city gives you the most living space for your rental dollars? And when you rent, are you just throwing your money away?

All good questions, and we've got the answers for domestic, newcomer and international student renters in this week's Renting in Canada roundup.

Here's our look at what's making news in Canada's rental market as daylight hours slowly increase daily. Did I mention slowly? Enjoy.

Exactly where are Canadian renters getting the most space for their rent dollars? According to Melissa Girimonte of Home, a Zoocasa study shows that Regina, Saskatchewan, gives renters the most space for their loonies. In fact, for $1.76 per square foot, you can live in a 756-square-foot apartment for about $1,333 monthly.

Renters in Canada are definitely worried about affordability

Rent prices in Canada are falling, and vacancy rates are increasing, so will the looming U.S. tariffs impact housing in Canada, for better or worse? Irish Mae Silvestre examines the issue for the Daily Hive.

Are Canadians worried about rental housing affordability? You bet they are. Freschia Gonzales of BPM explains why.

Could Canadian landlords be using AI to set rent prices? David Baxter of the Canadian Press reports on why the Competition Bureau is investigating the possible use of AI-driven algorithmic pricing in Canadian real estate rental markets.

Is Canada becoming a nation of renters (nothing wrong with that!. See below)? Candyd Mendoza of CMP writes how Canada’s housing crisis keeps more aspiring homeowners in the rental market, as affordability challenges and supply shortages make it increasingly hard to buy a home.

So, are you throwing your money away by renting? The Globe and Mail's Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw dig into this top on their popular podcast, Stress Test, (Btw, the answer is no).

Townhouses can be the perfect rental for newcomers to Canada

Who doesn't love townhouses? According to Rose Ho of Real Insights, renters, owners, and investors certainly do, and the townhouse trend is growing.

International students, who bring so much to Canada, face many challenges, and finding affordable housing is right up there. Ridhima Dixit of NB Media Co-op looks at how these resilient newcomers deal with a competitive, often unaffordable, rental housing market.

A new report says renters in Manitoba may be facing unreasonable rent increases. Loopholes in the rent-control system are leading to unreasonable rent increases in this popular province, according to CTV News report

Canada's job market in January was described as "incredibly strong"

To pay rent in Canada, you need a job. Here's our most recent look at the Canadian job market for newcomers and international students.

Don't let Canadian Black History Month get lost among the tariff, election and 24-hour news/noise cycle. Here's a great piece from Zain Usmani of Prepare for Canada with everything you need to know and celebrate.

And finally, if you think some Toronto and Vancouver "shoebox" condo rentals are small, in Hong Kong, many people live in rentals that are smaller than parking spaces.

*Rent prices were accurate when this article was published but may change over time.

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.