With out-of-control rents, why is the Saskatchewan government allergic to rent controls?  | CCPA
www.policyalternatives.ca
The current affordability crisis in Saskatchewan is proving particularly acute for renters. Over the past five years, the cost of rent in purpose-built apartments in Saskatchewan has risen 33.9 per cent, placing the province behind only Nova Scotia (+43.9 per cent), Alberta (+38.5 per cent), and B.C. (+36.9 per cent) for long-term rent growth. Moreover,…

The current affordability crisis in Saskatchewan is proving particularly acute for renters. Over the past five years, the cost of rent in purpose-built apartments in Saskatchewan has risen 33.9 per cent, placing the province behind only Nova Scotia (+43.9 per cent), Alberta (+38.5 per cent), and B.C. (+36.9 per cent) for long-term rent growth. Moreover, while other cities are beginning to see declines in asking prices for vacant units, Regina and Saskatoon witnessed some of the highest rent increases in the country over the last year.

These cost pressures squeeze renters to a greater extent because they often have lower household incomes and allocate more of their income to shelter costs than homeowners. Given this persistent unaffordability for renters, why is rent control not on the table?

  • ryper@lemmy.caEnglish
    11·
    15 days ago

    Over the past five years, the cost of rent in purpose-built apartments in Saskatchewan has risen 33.9 per cent, placing the province behind only Nova Scotia (+43.9 per cent), Alberta (+38.5 per cent), and B.C. (+36.9 per cent) for long-term rent growth.

    Today’s rent controls do not freeze rents but sets limits to rent increases to prevent price-gouging, while creating clear and consistent rent regulations that provide predictability for landlords, tenants and developers.

    Nova Scotia had rent increases capped at 2% from Nov 2020 through Dec 2023, and it’s been 5% since Jan 2024, but we have the highest rent growth. A cap isn’t enough if increases between tenants are uncapped, it just encourages renovictions and other bullshit.

    • streetfestival@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      5·
      15 days ago

      Yeah that’s BS. Toronto just implemented a renoviction permit program (i.e., a permit [showing some proof renovation work probably] is now needed before a tenant can be lawfully displaced for a renovation)