Occupancy Rate
Learn about occupancy rates in Canadian real estate — how they’re calculated, why they matter, and their role in property performance.
August 01, 2025
What is Occupancy Rate?
Occupancy rate is a measure of how much rentable space in a property or portfolio is currently leased or occupied, expressed as a percentage.
Why Occupancy Rate Matters in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, occupancy rate is a key indicator of market demand, property performance, and income stability for owners and investors.
How it’s calculated:
- (Occupied units ÷ total available units) × 100
- Can apply to residential, commercial, or mixed-use properties
Understanding occupancy rate helps owners adjust leasing strategies and investors evaluate cash flow potential.
Example of Occupancy Rate in Action
The building’s occupancy rate improved to 95% after a successful marketing campaign filled several vacant units.
Key Takeaways
- Percentage of occupied space in a property
- Indicates demand and property performance
- Impacts income stability for owners
- Used by lenders and investors in evaluations
- Balances with vacancy rate for full picture
Related Terms
- Vacancy Rate
- Allowance for Vacancy
- Property Management
- Operating Costs
- Market Value


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
