In today’s rental markets, particularly in cities like Vancouver and Toronto, renters are seeing something unexpected: rental incentives. With increased competition and growing vacancy rates, landlords are offering perks like free rent, gift cards, discounted utilities, and more to fill empty units. These offers, once rare, are quickly becoming a standard part of the rental process as landlords look for new ways to attract quality tenants.
As supply continues to outpace demand in many areas, renters have more leverage than ever. From complimentary Wi-Fi to reduced deposits and move-in bonuses, these incentives can lead to meaningful savings. In this liv.rent blog, we’ll break down the most common offers available today and show you how to make the most of them when searching for your next home.
What does a renter’s market mean?
A renter’s market gives tenants the upper hand. With more available units and fewer people competing for them, renters benefit from increased choice, bargaining power, and better overall value. This shift is largely driven by changing market conditions, specifically, rising supply and softening demand in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
As a result, landlords and property managers are working harder to attract tenants. In addition to adjusting rental prices to stay competitive, many are also introducing incentives to fill vacancies faster. From discounted rent to added perks like free parking or move-in bonuses, these offers are becoming an increasingly common part of the rental experience.
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Why is it a renter’s market?
Canada’s current renter’s market is the result of several converging factors. In recent years, the pace of new rental construction has accelerated, particularly in major urban centres, increasing the overall supply of available units. At the same time, higher interest rates and economic uncertainty have slowed household formation and discouraged some renters from moving, reducing demand.
Additionally, shifts in immigration patterns and a rise in purpose-built rental developments have contributed to higher vacancy rates. Together, these conditions have created more competition among landlords, giving renters increased negotiating power and access to better deals. Compounding these trends is the growing affordability gap in Canada’s housing market. As homeownership becomes increasingly out of reach for many Canadians, more people are choosing to rent long-term, yet even this demand hasn’t kept pace with the volume of new units hitting the market.
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What are rental incentives?
A rental incentive is anything offered by a landlord or property manager to make their unit enticing to a renter. It seems counterintuitive for them to be offering freebies and incentives, especially if their goal is to make money. However, rental incentives are an excellent marketing tactic.
Imagine two virtually identical units with similar prices, features, and locations. However, one of them promises one month of free rent when you sign a lease. Which unit do you think people will apply to first?
Rent specials and move-in specials generate buzz. They excite renters who will always be intrigued by the idea of saving money. This tactic will get the landlord or property manager a large pool of applicants, letting them select a good-quality tenant. In this way, they’re also protecting their investment by choosing to rent to someone with good credit and good references who will be more likely to pay their rent consistently and on-time.
Here are some of the most common rental incentives liv.rent has seen lately:
- Free rent periods
- Move-in specials
- Relaxed “no-pets” policies
- Bonuses, freebies, and discounts
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1. Free rent periods
One of the most attractive incentives renters can take advantage of today is a free rent period, often offered at the start of a lease. This typically means the first month or sometimes even the first two months are rent-free, which significantly reduces upfront move-in costs.
For renters, this translates into real savings, especially when combined with other offers like waived deposits or included utilities. Over the full term of a 12-month lease, a free rent period can meaningfully reduce the average monthly rent and offer much-needed financial relief at a time when many are navigating a high cost of living.
2. Move-in specials
Move-in specials are short-term promotions designed to help renters transition into a new home more easily and affordably. These offers can include a wide range of perks, such as reduced security deposits, waived application or credit check fees, or a month of free parking.
Some landlords may even include small renovations or cleaning services prior to move-in as part of the incentive package. These limited-time deals are especially common in newer buildings or those with higher vacancy rates, and they offer a compelling reason for tenants to sign quickly before the offer expires.
3. Relaxed “no pets” policies
With more Canadians adopting pets and prioritizing pet-friendly housing, landlords are responding by relaxing strict no-pet policies to attract responsible pet owners. This shift may include allowing cats or small dogs, lowering or removing pet deposits, or eliminating monthly pet rent fees altogether.
For renters, this is a major win; not only does it open up more options in desirable areas, but it also signals a broader change in landlord-tenant relationships. By offering pet-friendly terms, landlords are recognizing the growing demand for more inclusive, lifestyle-aligned rental spaces.
4. Bonuses, freebies, and discounts
In a competitive rental market, landlords are offering an increasing number of tangible perks to make their units stand out. These can range from prepaid gift cards and discounts on rent for early sign-up to free high-speed internet, complimentary furniture packages, or even gym memberships.
In some cases, tenants receive grocery vouchers or smart home devices as welcome gifts. These added benefits aren’t just flashy add-ons; they’re a reflection of how landlords are tailoring their offerings to meet renters’ real-life needs, helping tenants cut costs and enjoy a more comfortable living experience from day one.
How do you find rental incentives?
Now that you know free rent could be out there, how do you get it? There are a few ways you can go looking for a unit that comes with bonuses or rental incentives:
- Search on listings sites
- Bargain with landlords
- Pound the pavement
1. Search on listings sites
Use liv.rent to look for homes in your area. Many listings will promote themselves with a rental incentive either in their cover photo of the listing or in the description of their unit. To find units with rental incentives:
- Check the listing’s featured image to see if the landlord or property manager is promoting an incentive
- Read the “about this property” description on a listing page to see if it details a promotion
Pro tip: renting from liv.rent’s verified listings and landlords help you to rent safely and scam-free
You can also always contact liv.rent support. We’re here to assist our safe and trusted community of renters, so connect with us by live chat, phone, or email.
2. Bargain with landlords
A renter’s market is the perfect time to strike a bargain with a landlord or property manager.
This is an especially useful tactic for a renter with excellent credit and good references. A landlord or property manager is more likely to want to lock in a reliable tenant at a discount rather than keep a unit empty or rent it slightly higher to a tenant who may cause problems down the line.
Bargaining is simple when you connect with landlords and property managers through liv.rent’s chat. Simply message them asking if they’d be open to renting it to you for less. After all, it never hurts to ask.
3. Pound the pavement
Some landlords and property managers market their units very simply by putting a sign out front. Taking a weekend or afternoon to pound the pavement and walk around in your desired neighbourhood could help you find units with incentives that are not advertised for rent online.
Top 5 rental incentives in Toronto
As vacancy rates remain elevated in Toronto, landlords are increasingly offering incentives to fill units faster, particularly in condo-heavy areas and newly built rental buildings. Here are the top incentives renters can expect to find in Toronto right now:
- 1–2 months of free rent: This continues to be one of the most common and financially impactful offers, especially in competitive downtown areas or on longer leases.
- Prepaid gift cards or move-in bonuses: Some landlords are offering up to $500 in gift cards for groceries, transit passes, or furniture stores as a signing incentive.
- Free or discounted parking: Given the high cost of monthly parking in the city, this perk can offer significant value, often advertised as “first 3 months free” or “included with rent.”
- Flexible lease terms: Landlords are loosening restrictions on 12-month minimums, giving renters more flexibility with shorter leases or delayed start dates.
- Waived application fees or deposits: To further reduce barriers for renters, many buildings are waiving fees for credit checks, applications, or even damage deposits in some cases.
Top 5 rental incentives in Vancouver
While Vancouver’s market remains tighter than Toronto’s, a growing number of rental incentives are being introduced, especially in new developments and areas with increasing supply. Here are the top incentives Vancouver renters are seeing in 2025:
- Free rent for the first month: This is especially common in newly completed buildings in neighbourhoods like Mount Pleasant, Marpole, and South Granville.
- Complimentary utilities or internet: Some landlords include high-speed internet, hydro, or water services for a set period to make their listings more attractive.
- Reduced pet restrictions and fees: As demand grows for pet-friendly rentals, landlords are increasingly eliminating pet rent or deposits to widen their applicant pool.
- Move-in credits or home essentials: Gift cards for home retailers or prepaid cleaning services are popular offerings, making moving day easier and more affordable.
- Access to below-market units: Thanks to Vancouver’s secured rental policies, some buildings include a portion of units priced 10–20% below the market average, offering rare long-term affordability for eligible renters.
Rental incentives in Vancouver and Toronto are as varied as a landlord or property manager’s imagination can allow. When it’s a renter’s market, there are lots of opportunities for renters to get a deal or even upgrade to an extra bedroom for less.
Join liv.rent now and start renting from our safe and trusted community of landlords and property managers. You can strike up a conversation with one now and see if you can’t bargain your way into a rental incentive of your own.

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