Episode 159: Rental Roundtable Table Topics Style with Dan Dyble and Karen Hall Part 3
Summary
Earlier in 2025 I was asked to speak about rentals at a Toastmasters Club called “Money Matters” and the meeting was all about rentals. During that meeting I thoroughly enjoyed playing a Toastmasters game called “Table Topics”, but the subject was – you guessed it – rentals. Today’s episode is part 3 of a 5 part discussion, Table Topics style. Our topic today: affordability of rentals. Join Dan Dyble, Karen Hall and me discuss rentals, table topic style.
https://moneymatters.toastmastersclubs.org
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This Week’s Blog Post:
In this episode, I was thrilled to welcome back Dan Dyble and Karen Hall for the third installment of our Rental Roundtable series. This time, we framed our conversation around the Table Topics format used in Toastmasters—a quick-thinking exercise where participants respond to a topic in one to two minutes. Our focus for this session was the economics and affordability of rentals, and the discussion was both thought-provoking and deeply relevant.
Nationwide Rent Caps
We kicked off with the question of whether there should be a nationwide rent cap to prevent housing crises. While the idea might sound appealing, we agreed that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Every region has unique market conditions, property tax structures, and cost factors. Applying a blanket cap could disadvantage some landlords who face higher expenses, or even trigger unintended consequences like landlords exiting the market. Instead, rent controls may need to be set at a more local level—provincially, municipally, or even by neighborhood.
Renting vs. Owning in Today’s Market
Next, we explored whether renting long term is a smarter financial decision than owning a home. All three of us agreed—it depends. Renting can provide freedom from maintenance responsibilities and the flexibility to move. Owning offers stability and the potential for property appreciation but comes with upkeep costs and market risks. Lifestyle goals, financial circumstances, and how long you plan to stay in one place all play a huge role in making the best choice.
Are Landlords Part of the Affordability Problem?
The final question was whether landlords are contributing to the housing affordability crisis or simply working within the system. We recognized that while there are bad actors—slumlords who prioritize profit over property maintenance—most landlords are navigating the same market forces as tenants. Rising property prices, higher interest rates, and increasing maintenance costs are major drivers of rent increases. In many cases, affordability issues are rooted in broader supply-and-demand imbalances rather than landlord intent.
The Value of Ongoing Dialogue
What I love about these roundtable sessions is the honest and varied perspectives they bring. Housing affordability is a complex, multi-faceted issue that demands nuanced discussion. Whether you’re a tenant, a landlord, or somewhere in between, understanding the economic, legislative, and human factors at play can help us all make more informed decisions.