CALGARY – Politicians are sounding off on soaring rental prices.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi says landlords in Calgary are “gouging” tenants, sparking debate over the possibility of rental controls.
Provincial regulations do not currently limit on how much rents can be hiked in Alberta. A rental control could create a price ceiling for how much landlords can charge.
Nenshi’s remarks are not being taken kindly by the Alberta Landlord’s Association.
They say rent for a two bedroom Calgary apartment have gone up “reasonably” – on average, 15 per cent in total over the last six years.
Calgary has a vacancy rate of less than 2 per cent.
Nenshi claims his office has received complaints of rents going up by as much as 50 per cent in a year.
“Nobody’s costs have gone up 30, 40, or 50 per cent,” says Nenshi.
“It’s to that small minority of landlords that I say ‘look, think about what you are doing. Think about the ethics of the business you are in and think how you can still make a decent return while not really hurting people.’”
Rental increases in Alberta do require three months notice and only one increase is allowed per year.
Premier Jim Prentice says his government is not considering rent control legislation.
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