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The Global Insight

How long do you have to live in a primary residence before renting Canada?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 09, 2026

If you make this election, you can designate the property as your principal residence for up to four years before you actually occupy it as your principal residence.

Do I have to claim rental income on my primary residence?

Yes, you have to report this income. If you collect rent from someone who lives in a property that you own – even if it’s just a room in your house – you’re considered a landlord and must report the rent you receive as taxable income.

Do you have to claim rental income if you live in the house Canada?

Generally, you can deduct any reasonable expenses you incur to earn rental income. However, when you rent only part of a building where you live, such as a room in your house, you can claim only the expenses that relate specifically to the rented part of the building.

Can a primary residence be rented in Canada?

With respect to your situation, the Canada Revenue Agency does recognize situations where a primary residence is partly rented. For instance, the CRA will impose a divided use rule for properties that are equally divided into personal and rental units, such as a triplex.

Who is eligible for the principal residence exemption in Canada?

In general, a resident of Canada who owns only one housing unit, which is situated on land of one-half hectare or less, and which has been used since its acquisition strictly as his or her residence, will qualify for the principal residence exemption.

Can a principal residence be rented for 4 years?

Now, back to Tony, since he is renting his next home, few people know that Income Tax Act actually allows him to continue to designate this property as principal residence for four more years, provided that he does not designate any other properties for the same period. So say Tony purchased the property for $300,000 in 2008.

How many homes can be designated as principal residence?

However, for a home to be eligible for the principal residence exemption from tax, you must also adhere to a few other CRA stipulations. No. 1: One per family. A family unit can only designate one property per year as a principal residence.