Canadians Criticize ‘Diabolical’ Surrey Rental Suite Listing

A rental listing in Surrey, British Columbia, has sparked considerable backlash on social media due to its substandard conditions and questionable appeal. The suite, advertised on Facebook Marketplace for $550 per month, offers a shared living space that many users have deemed inadequate for comfortable living.

The listing describes a semi-basement suite that features a shared bedroom and includes utilities such as hydro and Wi-Fi in the rental price. However, the accompanying photographs reveal a lack of detail about the unit, showcasing only a poorly lit bathroom with two burnt-out lightbulbs and a glimpse of a closet door. Such minimal presentation has raised eyebrows among potential renters.

Online Reactions Highlight Concerns

The phrase “one boy needed” in the listing has drawn particular scrutiny, indicating that the room is intended for shared occupancy. This detail, along with the overall condition of the rental, led to discussions on the SlumlordsCanada subreddit, where users expressed their discontent. One commenter remarked, “The kind of room that makes you sleep with one eye open,” while another referred to the listing as “diabolical.”

Critics on Reddit suggest that landlords like the one behind this Surrey listing are exploiting the vulnerabilities of international students seeking affordable housing, labeling the situation as “sickening.” The prevalence of similar rental listings in the area has raised alarms about the state of the housing market, particularly for students and young professionals.

Rental Market Context in Surrey

Despite the affordability of this particular listing, the overall rental market in Surrey remains quite challenging. According to the most recent report from Rentals.ca, the average asking rent for a property in Surrey reached $1,888 in August 2024. This figure represents a significant decrease of 12.6 percent compared to the same period in 2023 and a slight decline of 1.1 percent from July of this year.

Surrey ranks as one of the more affordable cities in British Columbia for rental prices, with only Kamloops reporting a lower average asking rent of $1,735 in August. Nonetheless, the presence of listings like the one in question highlights ongoing concerns about the quality of available rental accommodations.

As discussions around this rental continue, it remains evident that many individuals are searching for better options in a market that often leaves them with limited choices.