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Canada's Rent Slide Is Finally Stalling — What It Means If You Rent or Rent Out

  Published August 13, 2026 For nearly two years, "Canadian rents are falling" has been one of the safest headlines in personal finance. The August 2026 National Rent Report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation, released last week, suggests that streak may finally be running out of road — and the shift matters whether you're the one paying rent or the one collecting it. The Numbers National avg. asking rent (July) $2,037 Year-over-year change -4.0% (22nd straight monthly decline) Month-over-month change +0.2% (4th straight monthly rise) Toronto, month-over-month +1.6% to $2,577 Falling, But Not as Fast Rent is still dropping on a year-over-year basis nationally — that's now been true for 22 straight months. But the pace of the decline has been easing since it bottomed out in March, and July marked the smallest annual drop since February. On a month-to-month basis, rent has now risen for four months running, which typically happens every summer as the market hits its season...

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New Tourist Tax Could Raise Costs for Holidays in England

 

                                        The government is considering a tourist tax on hotel stays in the UK. 


The UK government is considering introducing a tourist tax on overnight stays in hotels, guest houses, and short-term rentals such as Airbnb across England. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce the measure in her upcoming budget on 27 November, granting local mayors the power to impose a levy on visitors.

What the Tax Means

  • The levy would apply to both British holidaymakers and international tourists, making domestic travel more expensive.
  • Industry experts warn the tax could cost British holidaymakers over £500 million annually, adding to already high accommodation costs.
  • Local leaders would decide whether to implement the tax, how much to charge, and how to use the revenue. Funds are expected to be ringfenced for transport, public services, and local infrastructure.

Why Now?

Supporters argue that England is currently an outlier among developed economies, as many European destinations—including Paris, Venice, and Barcelona—already impose similar levies. The government sees this as a way to raise millions for local communities without increasing broader taxes.

Concerns from the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality sector has voiced strong opposition, warning that the tax could:

  • Fuel inflation by driving up room prices.
  • Make English cities less competitive compared to other destinations.
  • Deliver another blow to a sector still recovering from the pandemic.

Local Impact

Cities like London could see significant revenue gains, with estimates suggesting a £200–250 million annual windfall if the tax is introduced. However, critics argue that the policy risks discouraging tourism and undermining the UK’s appeal as a holiday destination.

In short, while the proposed tourist tax could provide much-needed funding for local services, it also risks making holidays in England more expensive for both residents and visitors.

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