Vacancy rates rose as demand slowed and supply continued to grow
Vacancy rates increased across Metro Vancouver in 2024, a change from the rates under 1% for the previous 2 years. The 1.6% vacancy rate (Table 1.1.1) this year was the highest we've seen in the past 10 years, except in 2020. The market remains relatively tight especially in lower-priced segments.
While nearly all zones saw higher vacancies, there was a pronounced increase in the Downtown core. New rental buildings entering the market in neighbourhoods like Mount Pleasant and East Hastings created some of these vacancies. These buildings are likely to lease at rates well above the prevailing market rates. Unlike previous years, our local market intelligence suggests that in recent months, it takes longer to fully lease new buildings. This indicates weaker demand for these higher-priced units.
Changing migration patterns and a weakening job market contributed to lower demand in Metro Vancouver. While immigration to British Columbia was still significant, it was relatively lower in recent quarters.
Unemployment trended higher in the region while the labour force was relatively unchanged compared to last year. Except for the COVID period, the current unemployment rate was last seen in 2016. Higher youth unemployment was a major driver in recent labour-market changes. Some young people will find it more difficult to move out on their own and this will reduce rental demand.
Slow growth in rentals, with more development in the suburbs
The purpose-built rental apartment universe expanded at a slower pace in 2024 than in the previous 2 years. Despite that, this year's growth remains significant compared to average growth in the past decade. Unlike recent years, most of this growth took place outside of the City of Vancouver. Areas like North Vancouver, Surrey and the Tri-Cities saw relatively more units added to their rental stock. These areas are attractive for developers as they're likely to have cheaper land for new development compared to the City of Vancouver.
The stock of 3+ bedroom units expanded significantly, continuing a trend that began in 2020. This signals continued interest in larger rental units. Most of this expansion was outside the City of Vancouver where such rentals are more affordable.
Rent growth slowed amid weaker demand and high prices
Rents continued to climb in many parts of Metro Vancouver but more slowly than the record pace seen in 2023. Same-sample average rent growth fell to 4.4% (Table 1.1.5), less than half of last year's growth rate. However, this increase is still significant and in line with rent growth in the past 9 years. Higher rents especially within the City of Vancouver pushed renter budgets and limited further growth compared to lower rents further away from the city.
Average asking rents of vacant units increased since last year due to more vacant units in pricier areas and continued demand for rental units in limited supply. However, our local market intelligence indicates that most rent increases took place at the end of 2023 while asking rents fell in recent months. This reflects some waning demand.
Pricing of newer units in some areas may have contributed to slower occupancy. The average rent for a newer 2-bedroom unit in the City of Vancouver is $3,491. This is 35% higher than a comparable unit in Surrey (Table 3.1.7). The prices of new and vacant units in the City of Vancouver and the Downtown peninsula pushed the budgets of potential renters.
Figure 1: Significant price premiums of newer rental stock closer to the metro region core impact renters' preferences
Percentage difference of average rent of rental stock built between July 2021 – June 2024, City of Vancouver and select areas
Source: CMHC
The overall turnover rate increased in 2024 after years of decline. Nearly all the increase in this year's turnover rate was attributable to newer buildings where tenants did not see a notable gap between their rent and asking rents.
Rental condominium apartment market remained tight even as investors grew supply at a quicker pace
Investors in condominium apartment projects continued to put newly completed units onto the secondary rental market, with 29.7% of newly completed apartment units used as rentals. Owners of existing condominium apartment units put their units onto the rental market at a greater pace than in 2023. Vacancies remain low across the region for these units with a slight decline in the vacancy rate. While rental demand shows some signs of weakness, higher average rents in this segment indicate that demand is still significant.