The idea of tenants asking landlords for reference letters from past renters is not a common one in Canada, but housing experts are making a case for why it should be.
. These rates pertain to the percentage of available rental units in a given market. While certain cities, such as Edmonton, continue to see high vacancy rates around seven per cent, rates in other cities, such as Vancouver, remain severely low at just 1.2 per cent. The city of Victoria, as well as certain parts of Ontario, are seeing vacancy rates as low as one per cent, according to the CMHC report.
“I can see how some people would see it as a very unserious way to address a much more serious problem,” said Hvitved. “How it's a way to try to get back control or take back some of that power that's been robbed from you.” Strange said this is why some form of legislation that would make landlord references a requirement is important.