Rental Market Round Up

Rents dip to $2,030, but demand surges 39%. B.C. rebounds hard, Maritimes explode. and CMHC warns supply crunch ahead.

March 26, 2026

Thanks to our new partnership with SingleKey, you're getting exclusive market data and a behind‑the‑scenes look at what’s really happening in the rental market.

Today, we’re covering

📈 Rents Cool But Demand Sticks

📊 National Rental Trends by Province

📍2026 Housing Market Outlook & Forecasts

😲 WTF of The Week

Read Time: 4 minutes

📈 Rents Cool But Demand Sticks

  • Average asking rent in Canada fell to about $2,060 in December 2025, down roughly 2.3% year over year and at the lowest level in about 2.5 years.​

  • By February 2026, average asking rent dipped further to roughly $2,030, a 33‑month low and the 17th straight month of annual rent declines.

  • January’s rebound was more about demand than price: national rental demand scores jumped about 33% from December as prospect counts surged 35% month over month.​

  • The market feels calmer but not dead: demand is thinner and more selective, with renters taking longer to move and focusing on deals rather than bidding wars.

Rental trend data brought to you by SingleKey.

📊 National Rental Trends:

  • December ↓ 18.6% vs. November

  • January: ↑ 30% vs. December

  • February: ↑ 10.7% vs. January

  • March forecast: ↑ 34.5%

📍 Provincial insights:

  • B.C. posted one of the strongest rebounds, signalling that leasing demand returned.

  • Alberta regained momentum quickly after a moderate dip.

  • The Prairies saw the sharpest December decline and a strong January correction. Rapid rebounds increase screening pressure.

  • Ontario experienced a notable holiday slowdown; competition will intensify heading into March.

  • Quebec remained the most stable, reinforcing consistent demand.

  • The Maritimes recorded the largest January surge nationwide, showing aggressive early-season activity.

    Rental trend data presented by SingleKey.

📍CMHC Housing Market Outlook 2026

  • According to CMHC’s 2026 housing report, Canada’s economy is expected to grow slowly in 2026, as softer job markets and population growth weigh on demand.

  • Conditions are projected to improve gradually in 2027–2028.

  • Home sales and price growth remain below historical averages. More
    renters may delay buying, supporting rental demand

  • New construction is slowing. Rental supply will continue to grow, but at
    a slower pace.

  • Rental markets are moving toward balance. Rent growth is easing,
    giving tenants more options and increasing rent price competition.

  • Ontario and B.C. home sales and construction are slowing, so focus on tenant quality and retention, not just pricing power. Housing activity in the Prairies and Quebec remains comparatively stronger, signalling healthier demand but increased competition for quality tenants.

    👉 View the Full Report Here

🔥 Get Ahead of The Rental Market:

💡 Coming Soon: A Better Way to Verify Tenant Income

SingleKey is testing Bank Verified Income, a faster way to verify tenant income and financial stability with:

  • ✅ Deeper income validation

  • ✅ Visibility into transaction history

  • ✅ Optional review of savings patterns

🛠 More Resources for Landlords

🤔 WTF of the Week:

This property was left in shambles after a year-long eviction battle.

Another example of how one bad tenant can cost far more than lost rent, which is why proper screening matters. (especially with Ontario’s landlord/tenant laws)

@atiqueg

Canada need to fix this system need to fix it

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