NOW launches its 2020 Toronto Renters Survey and Resident Expert Column

Toronto's leading independent publication deep dives into resident rental issues

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2020 /CNW/ - NOW Central Communications Inc. ("NOW" or "NOW MAGAZINE") a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Central Corporation Inc. ("MediaCentral") (CSE:FLYY, FSE:3AT) has gone live with its inaugural annual rental survey where Toronto residents give feedback on what it's really like to rent in the city. The results will be published on March 26, across 800 newsstands and online at nowtoronto.com.

Toronto is facing an affordable housing crisis and average rents are increasing. NOW plans to use the survey results to help Torontonians better understand the realities facing renters in the Six and shape future reporting on housing. The issues being addressed through the survey span from the rising rent and low-vacancy rates to illegal evictions and the impact of Airbnb. The results will also help to unveil critical insights, such as: average rent by neighbourhood, the frequency of bidding wars and the percentage of renters who plan to buy homes and what kind of government action is needed.

The unique independent survey is the only one of its kind focusing specifically on renters in Toronto, as only NOW can.  The survey is being spearheaded by veteran staff writer Samantha Edwards.

"In my reporting, I've heard so many stories about tenants facing massive rent increases, evictions, poor conditions and how frustrating it can be to find an apartment in Canada's biggest city given its low vacancy rate," says Edwards. "Statistics around specific tenant issues though, are thin; which is why we decided to launch the Renters Survey, to find real numbers and data to quantify Toronto's real housing crisis."

In addition to the rental survey, NOW is also launching a housing and real estate advice column: Resident Expert, which will appear online every two weeks on Thursdays, starting from February 6. Toronto is changing rapidly and living affordably and comfortably can be a significant challenge. Resident Expert is for  readers who rent, own and are buying in the city and need practical advice. Send your queries about rent increases, condo fees, ghost hotels, roommate conflicts, moving, illegal evictions and more to [email protected]. NOW writers will talk to relevant experts to get the answers and solutions. We'll keep letter writers anonymous.

About NOW Central Communications Inc.
NOW Central owns and operates NOW Magazine and nowtoronto.com. NOW is Toronto's news and entertainment voice, published in print every Thursday, and daily at nowtoronto.com.  Reaching over 25 million annual readers, NOW has been a leading publication, defining and pioneering the independent and alternative voice for more than 38 years. NOW Central Communications Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Central Corporation Inc. (CSE: FLYY, FSE: 3AT). 

nowtoronto.com Instagram: @nowtoronto Twitter: @nowtoronto Facebook: facebook.com/nowmagazine

About Media Central Corporation Inc.
Media Central Corporation Inc. (CSE: FLYY, FSE: 3AT) is an independent media company situated to acquire and develop high-quality publishing assets starting with the recent acquisition of NOW Communications Inc. and the launch of digital cannabis platform CannCentral.com.

MediaCentral is consolidating and digitally monetizing the over 100 million coveted and premium readers of the 100 alternative weekly newspapers across North America, creating the most powerful untapped audience of influencers. 

For more information: www.mediacentralcorp.com 

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