![Possible solutions if you can't rent afford](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1719814969/articles/9q6ZLA4fs1719818699080/POSSIBLE-SOLUTIONS-IF-YOU-CANT-RENT-AFFORD.jpg)
Rent was a big contributor to rising inflation in Canada in May and was up 8.9 per cent over the past year.
Thousands of Canadians are finding it increasingly difficult to pay rent.
Rent was a big contributor to rising inflation in May, up 8.9 per cent over the past year. Many are feeling the same squeeze you are.
Short-term solutions are necessary to quickly close the gap; here are a few ideas to afford rent when times are tough.
Short-term solutions to cover rent
Quickly determine how big a gap there is between what you can afford and what's being asked. Are you short $500? $1,000? All of it? Be realistic about how long you really need to stay put. Are you keeping this place for six more months? Not moving at all? This thinking gives you a view into solving the rent-rate challenge for a few months, not just for next month.
Popular solutions my students and clients are trying right now are getting roommates, even if it's not ideal; subletting their places as furnished units if their lease permits it (then moving in with a friend at a less expensive cost); Airbnb'ing their rental if permitted, however that looks for them; and giving back parking spaces and storage units to the landlord in exchange for a rent reduction.
Most are pairing these ideas with selling anything they don't need on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji clothing, golf bags, older tech- and using the proceeds to pay rent.
This story is from the July 01, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 01, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![The immortality of vampire films](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/03dgT_GRe1720088028586/THE-IMMORTALITY-OF-VAMPIRE-FILMS.jpg)
The immortality of vampire films
Anew Canadian entry puts an idiosyncratic spin on the mythology of the undead
![WHAT directors WEAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/y8aWcG8js1720087871307/WHAT-DIRECTORS-WEAR.jpg)
WHAT directors WEAR
In a new book from A24, the elements of auteur style get a close-up
![Life and death and robots](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/j8ooIVTPQ1720087675610/LIFE-AND-DEATH-AND-ROBOTS.jpg)
Life and death and robots
Rashida Jones dives into grief, loneliness and living with AI in Sunny’
![Argentina loaded without Messi](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/R4gWBVb7a1720087555916/ARGENTINA-LOADED-WITHOUT-MESSI.jpg)
Argentina loaded without Messi
Superstar will be game-time decision against Ecuador in the quarterfinals
![Ejim is a leader but no lock](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Z8tsG2SWN1720087490580/EJIM-IS-A-LEADER-BUT-NO-LOCK.jpg)
Ejim is a leader but no lock
As Canada pares camp roster, seven contenders remain for three jobs
![Final goes through Atlantic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Z8fGWt19l1720087359716/FINAL-GOES-THROUGH-ATLANTIC.jpg)
Final goes through Atlantic
Leafs making solid moves, but so are the Panthers, Lightning and Bruins
![Andreescu shows mental toughness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/pdwoeR50J1720087248772/ANDREESCU-SHOWS-MENTAL-TOUGHNESS.jpg)
Andreescu shows mental toughness
Deft, straight-sets win over Noskova propels Canadian to third round, matching personal best
![Reaching for the stars](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/UDLo37GXV1720087038212/REACHING-FOR-THE-STARS.jpg)
Reaching for the stars
Guerrero is an all-star starter again after jump-starting his bat
![Rental demand still outpaces supply despite new starts](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/E2cTJo9MT1720086936222/RENTAL-DEMAND-STILL-OUTPACES-SUPPLY-DESPITE-NEW-STARTS.jpg)
Rental demand still outpaces supply despite new starts
RBC says more developments needed to fill backlog
![LCBO strike looms as talks go down to the wire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Hk5FwpB5G1720086803190/LCBO-STRIKE-LOOMS-AS-TALKS-GO-DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE.jpg)
LCBO strike looms as talks go down to the wire
Union fighting against province's decision to expand alcohol market