A survey was conducted to determine what the most pressing issues impacting the rental market are as the BC provincial election draws nearer.
Rentals.ca asked landlords and renters a series of questions to better understand what actions would make a difference to them in the current housing crisis.
Additionally, they were asked where they are leaning politically.
“Renters have become aware of the issues affecting their communities and with BC as a whole maintaining Canada’s highest rents, it’s clear that BC residents take housing policy seriously,” said David Aizikov, Senior Data Analyst at Rentals.ca.
“This should be a wake-up call for politicians to get serious and put together realistic plans for the future.”
According to Rentals.ca, their survey’s key findings were that:
- 81% of respondents stated housing policies will heavily influence their voting decisions
- 68% of respondents said high rent prices are the biggest issue facing BC’s rental market
- 11% of respondents said limited housing supply was a concern
- Only 3% pointed to tenant protections as a top concern
- Overall, affordable housing options for low-income renters and policies encouraging rental housing development were ranked most important for government focus
Additionally, the survey sought to find out what BC renters and landlords thought of the short-term rental ban which was implemented by the BC NDP-led government in an effort to increase housing supplies for urban areas.
Only 35% of respondents supported the measure.
The survey also found that 37% of respondents remain undecided about who they will vote for in the upcoming BC provincial election.
Rentals.ca says the survey results underscore the fact that people want government intervention to help mitigate the challenges faced by BC renters.
It also highlighted the people of BC’s need for accelerated affordable housing development and improved tenant protections.
When it comes to who the respondents envision themselves voting for, 37% of respondents are undecided, 25% said they would vote Conservative Party of BC, 21% said they would vote BC NDP, 3% said they would vote BC Green Party and 3% do not plan on voting.
Rentals.ca creates and publishes surveys for both renters and landlords to communicate the ebbs and flows of the Canadian rental market.
