Ontario Premier Doug Ford's first-ever fiscal roadmap could have sweeping implications across all aspects of life for almost everyone in the province. Those who earn the most money, for example, no longer have to worry about paying extra income taxes (something proposed by the previous Liberal government that would have generated about $275-million for Ontario). Renters, on the other hand, could eventually end up paying way, way more to live in the city. Effective November 15,... [read more]

Let's start with the good news since it's the freshest. Toronto apartment rentals saw the slowest rate of price growth in the last two years during the third quarter of this year. Real estate research firm Urbanation, which tracks prices for purpose-built apartments in the region, released new data today that found the average price for a Greater Toronto Area rental apartment was "essentially unchanged" between July and August when compared to the April to May... [read more]

TORONTO CONDO RENTS SOAR NEARLY 11% AMID TIGHT SUPPLY Nicole Gibillini, BNN Image courtesty of: iStock Photo Toronto condo renters are facing sticker shock amid a supply crunch as new mortgage rules have been pushing more prospective homebuyers into the condo market. The average monthly rent for a Toronto condo surged 10.7% year over year to $2,206 in the first quarter of 2018, according to a report by real estate consulting firm Urbanation. The report said renters have moved... [read more]

LANEWAY HOUSING COMING TO TORONTO? Our leaders are looking at laneways to ease the city's housing crunch. So if you are a rat or a raccoon, better call the movers.  The idea, pushed by Davenport Councillor Ana Bailao, our official housing advocate, is to allow cosy abodes to be built on garages, parking pads and behind regular homes. This would transform back alleys into bustling residential zones. "Laneway suites have the potential to increase our housing supply in a... [read more]

BIDDING WARS ERUPT IN HOT TORONTO RENTAL MARKET Looking for that perfect rental property to move into? Get ready for war. What was once unthinkable is now a reality in the City of Toronto, with bidding wars for residential rentals happening in all corners of the city. As a landlord, David Batori has seen it first hand. "We did a recent renovation on a basement apartment and we were asking $1,200 (per month) and it rented for $1,480." Batori had four people bidding on... [read more]