B.C. Renters Taking a Wait-and‑See Approach to Home Ownership

Many B.C. renters are delaying home buying and should know their tenant rights amid affordability pressures.

A June 2025 survey conducted by Royal LePage highlights a growing trend among British Columbia renters: while over 52% hope to one day own a home, only 15% plan to buy within the next two years. The vast majority are taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach due to significant financial constraints and market uncertainty. The report reveals that 67% of renters cite unaffordable prices as the main barrier to entering the housing market. In Vancouver, despite a slight cooling of rent increases, average rental rates remain some of the highest in the country, with many tenants spending more than 30% of their income on rent.

As a result, many renters are making lifestyle sacrifices to manage housing costs. These include reducing spending on food, delaying personal savings, taking on side jobs, or moving to more affordable suburbs. This climate of financial pressure has made it more important than ever for tenants to understand their rights—particularly in terms of rent control, eviction protections, and dispute resolution options. Knowing how to navigate rental agreements, enforce tenant protections, and respond to unlawful increases or notices can offer stability in an otherwise volatile market.

Tenant advocacy groups are also calling for increased protections and stronger oversight to ensure renters are not exploited while ownership remains out of reach for so many. The provincial government continues to monitor the situation, but until long-term housing affordability improves, tenants will need to rely on education and awareness of their legal options to safeguard their housing security.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11249718/bc-renters-wait-and-see-approach-home-ownership-report/