Renting in Newfoundland: No Longer Just a Temporary Step
- tonia503
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Across Canada—and right here in Newfoundland—renting is no longer just a stepping stone to homeownership.
Between 2016 and 2021, nearly 500,000 new renter households were added across the country, pushing Canada’s national renter rate to over 33%, the highest it’s ever been. This signals a powerful shift in how Canadians are living—and it’s something we’re starting to see more of across our own communities.
What’s changing? More and more homes that were traditionally built for homeowners are now part of the long-term rental market, especially single-family homes with room to grow.
Newfoundlanders Want More Than an Apartment
Nationally, single-family rental households grew by 14.7%, outpacing traditional apartment rentals. Even in cities like St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and CBS, there’s a noticeable trend: renters are looking for more space, more privacy, and more comfort.
Whether it’s a detached home near Bowring Park, a two-storey rental in Paradise, or a cozy bungalow in Gander—many Newfoundlanders are choosing to rent homes that feel like their own, even if ownership still feels out of reach for now.
Renting Isn't Just for the Big Cities Anymore
While Ontario cities like Markham and Oakville are seeing rapid growth in single-family rentals, Newfoundland is experiencing its own version of this shift. Families, couples, and even solo renters are opting for full homes with yards, driveways, and room to breathe—especially in suburban and rural parts of the province where a detached rental still costs less than a condo in a larger Canadian city.
Living Alone, But Wanting More Space
One-person households living in rented single-family homes are also on the rise. And it's not hard to see why. Whether it’s a professional working from home, a retiree looking for peace and quiet, or someone simply craving privacy—space is becoming a priority, even for solo renters.
A New Definition of “Home” in Newfoundland
As home prices rise and down payments feel more out of reach, renting has become the new norm for many Newfoundlanders. But it doesn’t mean people have stopped dreaming of homeownership.
In fact, this shift presents a powerful opportunity: renters who love the feel of a home may be closer to buying one than they think. Programs, incentives, and creative mortgage solutions are available—often with surprisingly low down payments or flexible options for those with stable rental histories.
Still Dreaming of Owning a Home? Let’s Make a Plan
If you’re currently renting a single-family home in Newfoundland—or dreaming of owning one someday—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Let’s chat about what’s possible. I can walk you through your financing options, help you create a step-by-step plan, and show you how today’s market might actually work in your favour.
Your dream of homeownership in Newfoundland may be closer than you think.Let’s make it happen—together.
— Tonia, The Mortgage Missus
Contact The Mortgage Missus Inc. today to learn more!
Book a call today:
About the author,
Tonia Mercer is an independent mortgage broker. She has been in the industry for 17 years, in 2021 she launched her own brokerage The Mortgage Missus Inc.
Tonia is passionate about financial education and believes that working with independent experts is the best way to get unbiased, professional advice. She has joined forces with local independent home and auto, financial advisor, legal, appraiser and real estate service providers. Effectively creating a concierge service for all things financial and real estate.
Tonia donates a portion of all mortgage revenue to Mercer's Mission, a street dog and cat feeding mission in the Dominican Republic. https://www.facebook.com/mercersmission
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