C$980/Month for a Balcony? Vancouver Rental Listing Sparks Outrage

Vancouver's high housing costs have led to a controversial rental listing: a 45-square-foot balcony converted into a "private room" for C$980 (approximately $22,000 NT) per month.

The advertisement, posted by rental agency GoTwo Prime Living on Facebook Marketplace, promised a furnished space in the city center, suitable for students and young professionals. However, photos revealed the "room" was essentially a glass-enclosed balcony with a single bed and a small desk, offering limited space and questionable privacy, especially since access required passing through the living room.

Criticism erupted online, with many users expressing disbelief and calling the listing exploitative. Comments on Reddit questioned the habitability, the lack of access to essential facilities like bathrooms and kitchens, and whether such a space could even be considered a room. Some suggested these ads might be used to deceive international students and new immigrants or to boost property visibility on rental sites.

The rental agency has since removed the listing. It remains unclear whether the space was rented out or taken down due to public backlash. The agency had previously advertised a larger balcony room for C$1,150 per month in a prime downtown location.