New rental report shows that rent is rising faster in Halifax than in other Canadian cities

Rates of rental increases are slowing down in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, while they continue to increase in Halifax at a much faster rate.

HALIFAX –In response to a new rental market report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Official Opposition L​​eader Claudia Chender is calling on the Houston government to step in and urgently protect renters. Rents in Halifax have climbed faster than the national average this year, with average rents increasing $116 a month.

Compared to when Tim Houston was elected Premier in 2021, renters are forced to spend an average of $5,700 more a year on rent.

“Rents are already high, and they’re continuing to rise. It’s more than people can manage, and the toothless rent cap that Houston has put in place isn’t working,” said Chender. “The CMHC points directly to large rent increases for new leases as a key reason rents in our provinces are rising so quickly. Without real rent control that closes the fixed-term lease loophole, rents will keep climbing, pushing more families to the edge and beyond what they can afford.”

Renters in Halifax who moved last year saw their rents go up 29 per cent more than people who stayed in their homes. Nova Scotians are spending more for rent than people in any other province except for Ontario and British Columbia.

“Nova Scotians are spending thousands of dollars more on housing than they did when Tim Houston was elected Premier, just to keep a roof over their heads,” said Chender. “This government talks about increasing supply but the vast majority of the units getting built are high-end apartments that no one can actually afford.”

“Instead of creating real rent control, closing the fixed-term lease loophole, and planning for the future by investing in housing that people can actually afford, including more co-op, non-profit, and community housing options, this government has made it easier to evict people while ignoring the needs of everyday Nova Scotians.”

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