Possible solutions if you can't rent afford

Rent hikes. Job loss. High costs for everything else. Divorce. No rent control. Parental leave. Illness.

- LESLEY-ANNE SCORGIE

Rent was a big contributor to rising inflation in Canada in May and was up 8.9 per cent over the past year.

Thousands of Canadians are finding it increasingly difficult to pay rent.

Rent was a big contributor to rising inflation in May, up 8.9 per cent over the past year. Many are feeling the same squeeze you are.

Short-term solutions are necessary to quickly close the gap; here are a few ideas to afford rent when times are tough.

Short-term solutions to cover rent

Quickly determine how big a gap there is between what you can afford and what's being asked. Are you short $500? $1,000? All of it? Be realistic about how long you really need to stay put. Are you keeping this place for six more months? Not moving at all? This thinking gives you a view into solving the rent-rate challenge for a few months, not just for next month.

Popular solutions my students and clients are trying right now are getting roommates, even if it's not ideal; subletting their places as furnished units if their lease permits it (then moving in with a friend at a less expensive cost); Airbnb'ing their rental if permitted, however that looks for them; and giving back parking spaces and storage units to the landlord in exchange for a rent reduction.

Most are pairing these ideas with selling anything they don't need on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji clothing, golf bags, older tech- and using the proceeds to pay rent.