Chat with a landlord in Vancouver made me rethink my whole renting situation

I was talking to my friend's dad at a BBQ last weekend. He owns 3 properties in Surrey and he straight up told me he raises rent the maximum every year because 'tenants expect it now.' It hit different hearing someone actually say that out loud, made me realize how normal this game has become. Anyone else ever had a conversation that changed how you see your own rent situation?

2 comments

2 Comments

sullivan.riley7d ago

Got a buddy who rents a basement suite in Burnaby and his landlord tried to bump him $400 last month because "the market's hot right now." He pushed back politely and the landlord actually settled for half that, so maybe it's always worth a shot. Makes you wonder how many people just pay the increase without even trying to negotiate.

sandra6937d ago

Your buddy got lucky, but i also wonder if that landlord was testing the waters from the start. @sullivan.riley what made your buddy decide to push back instead of just paying it? Was it a gut feeling or did he look up the rental rules first? So many people i know just assume the increase is set in stone and pay up without a fight, which only makes things worse for everyone. It's like landlords bank on tenants being too scared or tired to question stuff. Would be interesting to know if his place is actually worth what he's paying now or if that $200 bump was just pure greed.