Vancouver Renters Are Using AI to Hunt for Homes—But Here's What They Actually Want Once They Move In

The Rentals.ca Spring 2026 Renter Preference Survey, released this week, confirms that artificial intelligence has officially entered Vancouver's rental ecosystem. Nearly three in ten Canadian renters—29% nationally—now deploy tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini during their housing search, with Vancouver adoption rates hitting 27%, just behind Toronto's 34%. The survey, which polled renters across major markets including Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary, found that among those who tried AI assistance, 73% reported positive experiences. Renters are primarily using these platforms to identify listings and neighbourhoods, compare pricing across submarkets, decode complex lease terminology, and structure their household budgets before committing to a tenancy.