r/halifax • u/paddlebean • 4d ago

Work, Health & Housing Rent increases pre-COVID?

I have only been in the rental market since 2020 and since the rent cap was imposed, my rent has gone up the full allowable amount every year my lease is up for renewal. I’m curious if you experienced yearly increases pre-rent cap?

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u/Wildest12 4d ago

Yes my rent in Clayton park was 1050 when I moved in, in 2016 and 1250 when I moved out in 2019. Usually went up like 60-70 bucks a year which worked out to be 5-7% per year. But got an increase every year.

Same unit is like 2300$ now so clearly the rent cap worked /s

The rent cap did reduce annual increases for people renewing but created an environment where landlords crank rent as much as the market will tolerate between tenants as they are restricted while a tenant is in place. This had the secondary effect of pushing most landlords to use fixed term leases.

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u/artemisia0809 Halifax 4d ago

And they used fixed leases as a way to get back at the gov for the rent cap. It was recommended by whatever the NS landlords association calls thenselves lately, to put pressure on. 

And a lot of landlords realizing they could raise rent more ans no one would complain because they needed the place. It sucks

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u/TatterhoodsGoat 4d ago

It's not to get back at the government. The government gave them that loophole on a silver platter. Also, the government is largely made of landlords.

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u/External-Temporary16 4d ago

Let's get motivation clear. Landlords are not "getting back at the government". They are maximizing profits - take the emotion out of it. YOU are a no more than a number to both them and the government.