Study says rents in Metro up 13.3%

Toronto Star - October 25, 1975

Monthly rents across Metro have increased an average of 13.3 per cent or $29 in the past 12 months, according to a federal government study.

The study of 512 apartment buildings, prepared by Central Mortgage and Housing Corp., compares rents from July to September this year to the same period in 1974.

It shows marked differences in rent increases in different areas of Metro.

Apartment rents in the Yonge-Eglinton area increased 19.6 per cent or an average of $48 in the past year; 11.9 per cent or $26 in East York; 7.9 per cent or $14 in southwestern Etobicoke and 16 per cent or $32 on Bathurst Steet North.

In areas adjacent to Metro, rents increased 12.9 per cent or $29 in Brampton and 12.5 per cent or $22 in Mississauga west.

The report shows the average Metro rental rates for different-sized apartments as: bachelor, $193, one-bedroom, $229, two-bedroom, $265, and three-bedroom, $311.

Ontario plans rent controls, but the provincial government is awaiting nationwide results of a federal rent study in order to formulate a uniform program of rent control, according to Treasurer Darcy McKeough.

The provincial government has indicated any rent-control ceilings would be retrocative to July 30. Landlords exceeding those levels may be required to give rebates to tenants.

"The increases (found inthe CMHC study) are not that surprising and pretty well match the Consumer Price Index increase," commented Toronto housing deparment spokesman Jeffrey Stutz.

It indicates most landords are just trying to keep up with increased expenses," he added, "And the rate doesn't match the horror stories of 30 and 40 per cent increases revealed in the last provincial election. Those were cases of real rent gouging."