Toronto, ON — October 1, 2026 — Rentals.ca's latest Renter Pulse Survey finds that nearly half of Canadian renters (48.1%) signed a lease in the past three months, even as two-thirds (68.1%) described the search as somewhat difficult or difficult. Incentives were widespread: 84.4% of renters encountered at least one move-in incentive, most often a free rent period.
The survey of 690 renters found that free rent periods were the incentive renters encountered most often (68.5%), followed by discounted parking, utilities or internet (36.2%) and move-in credits or cash bonuses (29.5%). Despite a difficult search, renter confidence remains steady heading into fall: 70.4% say they feel very or somewhat confident about finding an affordable place in the next three months.
A Difficult but Active Search
· 48.1% of renters signed a lease in the past three months; another 20.1% are still searching and say it isn't going well.
· 68.1% described finding a rental that fit both their needs and budget as somewhat difficult or difficult; only 7.0% called it easy.
Incentives Are Widespread, But Not Always What Renters Want
· 84.4% of renters encountered at least one incentive while searching, most often a free rent period (68.5%), followed by discounted parking, utilities or internet (36.2%).
· Free rent periods are the incentive renters encounter most often, but Rentals.ca's Spring 2026 Renter Preference Survey found free utilities are what renters actually value most (43%), with free rent periods a distant second (18%).
Most Renters Aren't Negotiating
· 28.0% say it never occurred to them to negotiate; 23.8% assumed it wouldn't work.
· Of those who did try, 12.0% negotiated a better deal and 17.1% were turned down, meaning renters who negotiated succeeded roughly 41% of the time they tried.
Confidence Holds Steady Heading Into Fall
· 70.4% of renters feel very or somewhat confident about finding an affordable place in the next three months, despite the difficulty of the current search.
For the complete Renter Pulse: Summer 2026 results, visit the article on Rentals.ca/blog. For more information or to schedule a media interview, please reach out to media@rentals.ca.
The Renter Pulse: Summer 2026 survey was fielded to Rentals.ca's renter audience and received 690 responses, with no skipped questions on four of the five core questions. Percentages are rounded and may not sum to exactly 100%. The survey is a standalone companion to Rentals.ca's larger Spring 2026 Renter Preference Survey.