Rentals.ca has released the results of its Fall 2024 Renter Preference Survey informed by nearly 1,500 renters across Canada. The survey builds on its inaugural renter survey, released in March 2024, which analyzed responses from 600 renters in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. With new data from Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and the Prairies, the latest findings offer a more comprehensive view of renter preferences, challenges, and emerging trends across the nation.
The survey highlights several national trends reflecting an “evolving rental landscape” in Canada. Most notably, the likelihood of renters recommending their current rental space increased from 25 per cent to 32 per cent. Dissatisfaction also dropped from 12 to 5 per cent, with fewer respondents saying they would not be willing to recommend their current rental property to someone else.
For those seeking an apartment, the percentage of renters who spent more than two weeks searching for their next rental dwelling dropped from 57 to 35 per cent, indicating faster search times due to improvements in the leasing process and/or more availability.
The survey indicates renter demographics are also changing, with 42 per cent of respondents in a relationship and 16 per cent with children, signalling continued demand for family-sized rentals as more prospective homeowners remain in the rental market.
Regional insights
British Columbia: Renters are making quicker decisions, with search durations over two weeks dropping from 20 to 7 per cent.
Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba): Short-term searches (under one week) rose from 4 to 21, driven by high motivation and increased rental availability.
Quebec: First-time renters surged from 14 to 36 per cent, driven by Montreal’s comparatively affordable housing options.
Ontario: Affordability remains critical, with 63 per cent of renters strongly agreeing on the need for more housing—up from 28 per cent. Toronto leads the nation in population outflows due to affordability concerns.
“As renters navigate the evolving economic landscape and changing housing demands, our survey shines a light on how Canadians adapt in real-time—through faster searches, a growing desire for flexibility, and more housing supply,” survey analysts wrote. “These insights reflect not just statistics, but the resilient, adaptive spirit of renters nationwide.”
For more information on trends impacting the rental market in Canada, visit Rentals.ca
