Published by Jessica Weisman-Pitts
Posted on December 15, 2023
6 min readLast updated: January 31, 2026
As we approach 2024, Royal York Property Management stands out as an essential resource for property investors and landlords grappling with the challenges of maintaining profitability in an increasingly strained rental market. Amid the increase in interest rates in response to higher inflation, housing costs have risen, straining the profitability of rental properties and creating an affordability crisis. In this environment, professional property management services such as those provided by Royal York Property Management are not just advantageous but crucial for success.
Royal York Property Management has a verifiable track record, having successfully leased out and managed over 22,000 properties, including multi-unit buildings and single-family houses. The company offers a unique proposition of guaranteed rental income to its landlords, providing peace of mind and financial stability. With over $11 billion in real estate assets under management, it is one of the largest and most established property management companies in Canada, and is rapidly expanding its global presence.
The real estate landscape has undergone significant changes in the last 12 months, particularly in Canada. The transition from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market, fuelled by a surge in housing prices during the pandemic and record population growth, has profoundly impacted the rental market. Rent prices have skyrocketed, creating a challenging situation for landlords and tenants.
Nathan Levinson, the Founder and President of Royal York Property Management, offers insights into these developments. “The current state of housing affordability in Canada is at its lowest, largely due to escalating borrowing costs. This situation is prompting first-time buyers to postpone their real estate purchases, leading to an increased demand in the rental market and, consequently, a hike in rent prices.”, he says.
The escalation of rent prices is not without repercussions. Tenants are increasingly confronted with evictions and rental defaults as the cost of living increases. This situation is exacerbated in regions like Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, where population growth has significantly driven up average market rents.
In Ontario, the province’s policy on rent control further complicates matters. Units introduced to the market after November 2018 are exempt from rent control, which discourages tenants from moving and disproportionately affects young Canadians and newcomers. The limited availability of units under rent control has made it increasingly more work for these groups to cope with the rapid rise in rent prices.
There are no easy solutions to the current challenges. The rent increases common throughout the pandemic are no longer possible as high inflation and a slowing economy significantly strain tenants’ cash flow. The pool of qualified tenants who can absorb regular rent increases has shrunk, and properties are vacant. Additionally, as LTV ratios worsen over time, landlords cannot secure a second mortgage for additional liquidity. Therefore, both tenants and landlords are suffering from cash flow problems.
Amid these challenges, the services Royal York Property Management provided become invaluable. Their tenant placement and overall property management expertise allows landlords to navigate these complexities effectively. By offering a hands-off approach, Royal York Property Management helps landlords deal with tenant disputes and market volatilities, ensuring the profitability of their investments. They also focus on providing tenants access to affordable homes that meet the high quality standards that Royal York Property Management enforces in all properties that it rents out.
At Royal York Property Management, we do more than just show a tenant a property; we specialize in finding them their home. We can place a tenant within a property in an impressively short 7-10 days. Our proprietary tenant placement process, which leverages A.I. and our extensive database, makes finding qualified tenants easier and more reliable,” explained Nathan.
However, the difficulties extend beyond tenant placement. The current economic conditions pose significant challenges to the real estate industry at large. Financing new housing projects has become more challenging, affecting both landlords and tenants. Landlords need help expanding their portfolios due to increased competition and less profitability in rental properties.
The situation may worsen as interest rate cuts appear unlikely in the near term, and more mortgages come up for renewal. This scenario could lead to further rent increases as landlords attempt to pass some of their costs onto tenants. Such increases are likely to continue until the market reaches a point of complete unsustainability, resulting in more rent strikes and tenant defaults.
Despite these headwinds, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The anticipated slowdown in new developments allows investors to refocus their strategies towards asset optimization, digitalization, and niche markets. These strategies can reduce operational costs and make properties more appealing to a wider range of tenants.
Royal York Property Management’s approach is particularly noteworthy in this context. Their focus for larger investors involves consulting on asset optimization, cost reduction, and enhancing the appeal of properties. This approach benefits landlords by increasing the efficiency and profitability of their investments. It assists tenants in finding quality housing within their budget, albeit with some trade-offs in terms of location, size, or amenities.
Royal York Property Management also provides in-house maintenance, finance, accounting, and legal services. These services are designed to cater to both landlords and tenants, providing complete peace of mind with departments operating 24/7, 365 days a year, servicing clients both in Canada and internationally.
In conclusion, the year 2024 is set to be a challenging one for the rental property market. High-interest rates, increasing housing costs, and a shortage of high-quality tenants are likely to make many properties’ cash flow negative, with rent defaults accelerating. In such a turbulent market, the expertise and services offered by Royal York Property Management become essential for landlords and tenants. Their comprehensive property management approach ensures that profitability and quality housing can still be achieved despite the challenging market conditions. The invaluable support and guidance provided by Royal York Property Management will be crucial for navigating the complexities of the 2024 rental market, ensuring that both landlords and tenants can find solutions that work for them in these challenging times.
Property management involves overseeing residential, commercial, or industrial real estate. It includes managing tenant relations, maintenance, and financial aspects to ensure profitability and compliance.
A rental market refers to the supply and demand dynamics for rental properties. It includes factors like rental prices, vacancy rates, and tenant preferences that influence rental agreements.
Interest rates represent the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. They significantly influence mortgage rates and overall housing affordability.
Guaranteed rental income is a service offered by property management companies, ensuring landlords receive a fixed rental amount regardless of tenant occupancy or payment issues.
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