Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 15/99) - The advertisements are everywhere. Reasonable rent, good location and incentive programs.

Many Yellowknife apartment and townhouse units are offering these sorts of deals to remain competitive within the marketplace.

"It's a very competitive market -- simple as that," said Dave McCann, the general manager for Mackenzie Management.

But in Yellowknife, as the population continues to stay dormant at about 17,000, there are limited amounts of people who are looking to rent. Then there's the fact that housing purchasing rates have dropped, leaving people with easier access to buying a home, rather than renting.

In Yellowknife an average one-bedroom apartment goes for about $800 a month. In some cases that may not include utilities.

Many rental managers are trying to get their tenants to commit to a residence for more then a month at a time. Incentives are being offered to those tenants who agree to a six-month lease or in some cases a one-year lease.

According to McCann, with the agreement to a six-month lease on a one-bedroom apartment, the renter is given a $300 incentive to help with rent.

According to Sharon Hysert, office administrator for Humford Developments, they offer to pay the renter's power if a six-month or one-year lease is agreed to.

Hysert, who is a renter with Humford as well, says that many people won't take part in the incentive program because they don't want to be roped into staying in the same place.

According to Hysert, there is a very high vacancy rate at Humford developments.

She feels it may be due to Yellowknife's changing economy.

Hysert is not sure if people are worried about there being more cuts to government jobs or if they're worried about the drop in gold prices.

"A lot of people have moved right out of town," said Hysert.

Hysert also feels it could be the high cost of living that is driving the people away from town.

"It's a high cost of living -- even though we have lowered our rent," said Hysert.

Hysert said she feels that without dual income, something she has with her husband, she would not be able to live where she does.

Hysert lives in a Humford two-bedroom townhouse. She pays about $1,500 a month, including utilities.

"I don't think it's reasonable," said Hysert.