Vacancy Rate Remains Low in St. John's Area

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwire - Dec. 13, 2011) - According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Fall Rental Market Survey, the vacancy rate in the St. John's Census metropolitan area (CMA) was 1.3 per cent, compared to 1.1 per cent in 2010.

"With record employment and income growth attracting people to the region, population growth continued to create rental demand as new immigrants have a high tendency to rent," said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. "An increase in home prices and a solid economy also supported demand for rental units in 2011. These factors, coupled with limited new rental supply, continued to keep the local vacancy rate low," added Janes.

Provincially, vacancy rates in percentage terms were 1.3 in the Corner Brook area, 1.2 per cent in Gander and 0.9 per cent in the Grand Falls-Windsor area. The combined provincial vacancy rate for all centres surveyed increased from 1.0 per cent to 1.3 per cent.

Overall, the average two bedroom rent was $701 across the five urban centres surveyed, with increases recorded in every centre. The highest average two bedroom rent recorded was $771 in the St. John's CMA, while Bay Roberts posted the lowest average rent of $561. The remaining average two bedroom rents were $584 in Corner Brook; $567 in Gander and $646 in Grand Falls-Windsor.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of high quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable housing solutions. CMHC also provides reliable, impartial and up-to-date housing market reports, analysis and knowledge to support and assist consumers and the housing industry in making informed decisions.

For more information, visit www.cmhc.ca or call 1-800-668-2642. CMHC Market Analysis standard reports are also available free for download at CMHC Housing Market Information.

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