Toronto’s vacancy rate on apartments hit 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2020, the highest level the city has recorded in 50 years, after nearly a decade of being under 2%. As the pandemic pushed tenants outside the core of the city, the vacancy rate in the 905 areas surrounding Toronto remained at a much tighter 2%. These results are just an example to just how drastically the pandemic altered the rental market.

As vacancy rates rose last year, rents declined. A study from Rentals.ca last week showed the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto fell 20% year-over-year in December to $1,832 and a 17.5% drop for a two bedroom to $2,416. Condo leasing activity soared 25% last year to a record 38,366 units. The average rent for condos, unlike apartments, dropped 14% to $2,076 across the Toronto region, the lowest since mid 2017. Rentals.ca predicts rents could continue to decline for the next three or four months because of weaker demand and more supply.

The freehold market on the other hand is starting off with a bang! The biggest source of concern are listings. The buyers are out there circling, and the weather has been kind to us, but the multiple offers are starting up again. Stories of a townhouse in Mississauga having 71 offers to a house in Oshawa having 47 offers. With low borrowing costs and high demand, the supply issue again is of concern. Are potential sellers reluctant to list their properties for sale in this uncertain market? The buyers are out there waiting. We remain cautiously optimistic!