Description: This monthly survey collects rent data and rental characteristics to be used as input into the construction of the rental component of the Consumer Price Index and the System of National Accounts Income and Expenditure Accounts. The data are used by all levels of government and the private sector to measure the impact of price change on the purchasing power of the dollar and for economic and policy analysis.

Who/what is surveyed: All non-institutional dwellings, excluding Indian Reserves and Military bases

How the data is collected:
80% Telephone interview
20% Face to face interview
(the survey uses the Labour force survey as a vehicle to collect the information on rent for the Consumer Price Index)

Geographic detail: Canada, provinces

Information collected:

Rent/shelter cost, by shelter/dwelling characteristics
- type, size of dwelling
- rent/rental characteristics
- parking facilities
- housing furnishings, equipment and related services

Frequency: Monthly

Sample size: 9,000 households

Data availability: 1949 to 1998

Reference period: Month

Release dates: 6 to 7 weeks after the reference month

Response rates: 90%

Responsible division: Prices