Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Tenure

Definition

Tenure refers to whether the household owns or rents their private dwelling. The private dwelling may be situated on rented or leased land or be part of a condominium. A household is considered to own their dwelling if some member of the household owns the dwelling even if it is not fully paid for, for example if there is a mortgage or some other claim on it. A household is considered to rent their dwelling if no member of the household owns the dwelling. A household is considered to rent that dwelling even if the dwelling is provided without cash rent or at a reduced rent, or if the dwelling is part of a cooperative.

For historical and statutory reasons, shelter occupancy on Indian reserves or settlements does not lend itself to the usual classification by standard tenure categories. Therefore, a special category, 'dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band,' has been created for census purposes.

Statistical unit(s)

• Private household

Classification(s)

• Status of tenure of household
• Variant of status of tenure of household

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986^{Footnote 2} and 1981^{Footnote 3} (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, refer to Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Private households

Question number(s)

Direct variable: Questions E1, E1a) and E1b)

Responses

Owned; Rented; Dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band

Remarks

Not applicable

Note(s)