Summer is Ottawa’s busiest rental season. Students lock in September leases. Government interns and co-op students arrive. Military and diplomatic postings rotate. Here is what the data says about the summer ahead.
Where Vacancy Stands
CMHC’s spring survey pegged Ottawa’s vacancy rate at 1.8%, down from 2.1% a year earlier. Downtown and transit-adjacent neighbourhoods were tighter — Centretown at 1.2%, Sandy Hill at 0.9%. Suburban vacancy was higher: Kanata at 2.4%, Orleans at 2.8%, Barrhaven at 2.6%.
The pipeline of new purpose-built rental completions is light. Only 1,200 units are expected to deliver across the city through the second half of 2026 — well short of the 3,500 annual units CMHC estimates Ottawa needs to stabilize rents.
Neighbourhood Price Projections — July to September
| Neighbourhood | 1BR Current | 1BR Summer Est. | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centretown | $2,050 | $2,150 | +4.9% |
| Sandy Hill | $1,800 | $1,920 | +6.7% |
| The Glebe | $2,100 | $2,160 | +2.9% |
| Kanata | $1,700 | $1,740 | +2.4% |
| Orleans | $1,650 | $1,680 | +1.8% |
Sandy Hill sees the sharpest seasonal spike as thousands of uOttawa students secure housing for September. Centretown rises on government summer hires. Suburbs move less aggressively — Kanata and Orleans have deeper inventory and fewer students competing for units.
What Tenants Should Do
- Lock in by mid-June: July and August see the most competition. The best units priced below market move in days.
- Have documents ready: Employment letter, recent pay stubs, credit report, and references. Landlords with multiple applicants pick the most prepared.
- Expand your search radius: If the core is unaffordable, the LRT puts Kanata, Orleans, and Barrhaven within a 25-minute commute.
What Landlords Should Do
- List in late May or early June: Capture the wave of summer searchers before competing listings flood the market.
- Price to market, not ego: A unit listed at $2,000 that sits vacant for a month loses $2,000. A unit listed at $1,900 that leases in a week earns $21,850 over the year.
- Professional photos: Summer listings with phone photos get half the inquiries. Spend the $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the busiest month for rentals in Ottawa?
August. Students, government transfers, and military postings converge. July is a close second. Plan to list before July 1st to catch early movers.
Will rents go up or down this summer?
Up, especially in the core and near universities. Low vacancy and seasonal demand push rents higher through September. Rents typically soften slightly in November through February.
Should I sign a lease now or wait?
If you are a tenant, sign now. Rates in May are lower than they will be in July and August. Landlords listing now are motivated — they want occupancy before the summer rush peaks.