There is no single BC rent number. CMHC's Rental Market Survey measures defined rental universes and geographies, while listing-based asking-rent series measure advertised units. They can move differently and should not be combined without clear labels.
Key facts
- Purpose-built rental apartments and rented condominium units are different survey universes.
- Average occupied rent and current asking rent answer different questions.
- Vacancy should be reported with geography, structure type, bedroom count, and reference period where available.
The denominator comes first
A vacancy rate is meaningful only after identifying which rental stock was surveyed. Purpose-built structures, secondary-market condominium rentals, and online listings do not represent the same universe.
Existing tenants and new listings
Average rent paid in occupied units can lag the asking rent on currently available homes because turnover, rent regulation, unit quality, and location differ. Both can be useful if their scope is visible.
Parcel & Key's publication standard
Every rental chart will carry the source, survey universe, geography, reference date, unit type, and limitation. We will not present a privately assembled asking-rent average as an official vacancy measure.
Parcel & Key did not receive payment to publish this report. Advertising, sponsorship, and provider relationships cannot alter the sourcing, headline, or conclusion.