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CAPREIT stock

Holding Strong in a Tight Housing Market

Canada’s housing market has long been a story of strong population growth, limited supply, and rising rents. For income investors, this creates an appealing setup: residential real estate trusts that generate steady cash flows while riding the structural demand for rental housing. With inflation protection and high occupancy rates, these businesses can provide a dependable stream of dividends even when the broader economy slows.

How the Rent Gets Paid

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CAPREIT) (CAR.UN.TO) is a Canada-based provider of rental housing. The Company owns and manages interests in multiunit residential rental properties, including apartments, townhomes and manufactured home communities (MHC), principally located in and near urban centers across Canada. The Company owns approximately 45,400 residential apartment suites, townhomes, and manufactured home community sites located across Canada and the Netherlands.

Its objectives are to maintain a focus on maximizing occupancy and responsibly growing occupied average monthly rent (Occupied AMR) in accordance with local conditions in each of its markets; upgrade the quality and diversification of the property portfolio through repositioning and capital recycling initiatives to grow earnings and cash flow potential; and maintain strong financial management and a conservative and well-balanced capital structure to increase FFO per unit, NAV per unit, among others.

CAPREIT Portfolio Mix as presented in its q2-2025 Conference Call slides.
CAPREIT Portfolio Mix as presented in its Q2-2025 Conference Call slides.

Why It Appeals to Income Investors

CAPREIT is one of Canada’s largest residential real estate investment trusts, with a portfolio of over 48,000 rental suites and manufactured housing community sites across Canada and the Netherlands. CAPREIT provides investors with a steady source of income and inflation-resistant cash flows. The REIT has demonstrated high single-digit organic growth and has been raising capital to acquire new properties, improving its geographic diversification. In 2024, CAPREIT engaged in significant capital recycling, disposing of nearly one billion dollars in Canadian rental properties while planning additional asset sales in the Netherlands and other regions.

Playbook

CAPREIT generates revenue primarily through rental income from its residential properties, which are mainly located in Canada, with additional exposure in the Netherlands. The company targets stable occupancy rates, with residential occupancy at 98%. The trust benefits from strong demand for rental housing, particularly in high-growth Canadian markets, where rental rates have continued to rise.

Growth Vectors

  • Rental Rate Increases: Rent growth remains a consistent driver, supported by high occupancy and urban demand.

  • Capital Recycling: Nearly $1B in Canadian properties sold in 2024, plus further sales in Europe to reinvest into core markets.

  • Portfolio Upgrades: The REIT continues to enhance property quality and focus on higher-growth urban locations.

Economic Moat

CAPREIT benefits from substantial barriers to entry in the residential rental market, including high property acquisition costs and zoning restrictions. Its scale and geographic diversification provide a competitive edge, allowing the company to optimize property management and rental pricing strategies. However, rising expenses and regulatory challenges in rent-controlled markets could limit its pricing power.

Bull Case – The Upside of Housing Scarcity

CAPREIT offers investors exposure to one of the most resilient segments of the real estate market: rental housing in Canada’s largest urban centers. With nearly 50,000 rental suites and sites, the trust can leverage economies of scale while maintaining occupancy rates near 98%. The strategy of capital recycling—selling lower-growth properties to reinvest in higher-demand locations—has kept the portfolio aligned with long-term market fundamentals.

Disposals in Europe further reduce currency and regulatory risks while sharpening CAPREIT’s focus on Canadian rental demand, which is supported by strong immigration and limited supply. Rent escalations, portfolio upgrades, and disciplined financial management all support reliable FFO growth and, in turn, steady dividend increases.

Bear Case – Cracks Beneath the Surface

The bear case stems from slowing growth and rising costs. Revenue declined 8.5% in the most recent quarter due to portfolio dispositions, and future growth will depend on reinvesting sale proceeds into more productive assets. Repair and maintenance expenses are rising, putting pressure on margins. Additionally, tighter economic conditions or an eventual rebound in housing supply could put rental growth at risk.

Another concern is geographic concentration: while CAPREIT is diversified across Canadian cities, its heavy focus on rental housing ties closely to Canadian economic and regulatory conditions. With rent controls in several provinces, the trust may struggle to fully offset rising expenses through rent increases.

Find More Rock-Solid Dividend Payers

CAPREIT is a good example of how dependable income can come from steady, reliable businesses. But it’s only one name among many. If you want to see the best dividend growers across Canada and the U.S., check out our monthly updated Dividend Rock Star List.

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What’s New: Capital Recycling Continues

CAPREIT reported a mixed quarter:

  • Revenue: Declined 8.5%, reflecting asset sales in Europe.

  • FFO per unit: Increased 3%, supported by lower interest expense and unit repurchases.

  • Canadian portfolio: Same-property NOI rose 4.9% with occupancy improving to 98.3%.

  • Margins: NOI margin expanded 40 bps to 66.3%, highlighting operational strength despite a smaller portfolio.

The trust remains focused on simplifying its portfolio, reinvesting in Canadian properties, and supporting stable FFO growth.

The Dividend Triangle in Action: Still Resilient

CAPREIT (CAR.UN.TO) 5-year Dividend Triangle chart.
CAPREIT (CAR.UN.TO) 5-year Dividend Triangle chart.

While the growth has been uneven recently due to capital recycling, CAPREIT still shows the qualities of a resilient income vehicle:

  • Revenue: Stable long-term trend, though recent sales temporarily reduced growth.

  • FFO per share: Fluctuating, but supported by high occupancy and reinvestments.

  • Dividend: Slow but steady growth, with management committed to sustainable increases.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Stability with Transition

CAPREIT stands as a reliable play on Canada’s rental housing shortage, but it’s not without challenges. Revenue growth has slowed, and costs are rising, yet its balance sheet, occupancy, and disciplined recycling strategy support long-term income stability. For dividend investors, CAPREIT is less about explosive growth and more about steady cash flow anchored in essential housing demand.

Want more dependable dividend growers ideas?

The Dividend Rock Star List is updated monthly with over 350 screened dividend stocks, complete with safety scores and valuations.

Best Monthly REITs 2025

Retirement’s knocking — but can your income keep up? If you’re dreaming of monthly paychecks without the headaches of tenants or property repairs, Canadian REITs could be your answer.

Most dividends come quarterly. But some REITs? They pay monthly, giving you that steady stream of income retirees love.

What makes REITs great monthly payers?

While most companies pay dividends quarterly, many Canadian REITs opt for monthly distributions. That’s because their rental income arrives monthly — and they’re happy to share it.

Think of REITs like owning a rental empire — without the late-night repair calls. These trusts collect rent monthly from dozens (or hundreds) of properties and pass that income straight to you.

Monthly distribution REITs list

Monthly distribution REITs
Monthly distribution REITs in Calendar (for entertainment purposes only).

At DividendStocksRock, we track over 1,200 dividend-paying stocks. Only 65 Canadian companies pay a monthly dividend from this list, and over half (34) are REITs.

Want to explore all your monthly income options? Here’s our complete list of Canadian REITs that pay monthly dividends, including their yields and dividend growth history.

Retirees: Not All Income Is Created Equal

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Our Top 3 Monthly REITs

Some of the best Canadian REITs are paying a monthly distribution. We picked three standouts from over 30 monthly-paying REITs based on yield stability, tenant diversification, debt or payout ratios, and long-term growth.

Granite REIT (GRT.UN.TO)

GRT.UN.TO 5-Year Dividend Triangle.
GRT.UN.TO 5-Year Dividend Triangle.

Investment Thesis: Diversified, Disciplined, and Growing

Granite REIT has transformed from a single-tenant industrial landlord into a diversified, growth-oriented real estate investment trust.

Once dependent on Magna International for 98% of its revenue, that figure has dropped to 26.7% as of August 2024. The trust now owns 143 properties across seven countries, with a growing tenant base including Amazon. Backed by a BBB/BAA2 investment-grade rating and a low FFO payout ratio (~70%), Granite offers a 4–5% dividend yield with inflation-beating growth potential.

Strategic acquisitions and developments aligned with e-commerce and supply chain trends continue to fuel expansion and de-risk the portfolio.

Potential Risks: Magna Still Matters

Despite Granite REIT’s successful diversification, key risks remain—most notably its ongoing dependence on Magna, which still accounts for over a quarter of its revenue. Any disruption in Magna’s business could impact Granite’s financial stability.

Broader economic downturns could also reduce demand for industrial space, leading to lower occupancy and rent collections. Rising interest rates present a further challenge, potentially increasing borrowing costs and pressuring profit margins.

The industrial REIT space is also becoming increasingly competitive, with rivals like Dream Industrial and Stag REIT actively pursuing premium tenants and properties, requiring Granite to enhance its value proposition continuously.

CT REIT (CRT.UN.TO)

CRT.UN.TO 5-year Dividend Triangle.
CRT.UN.TO 5-year Dividend Triangle.

Investment Thesis: High Yield, Low Risk, and Long Leases

CT REIT is a stable, income-focused real estate investment trust that derives 92% of its rental income from Canadian Tire and its associated brands.

With a robust 6.3% dividend yield and a conservative AFFO payout ratio (~74–75%), it offers reliable monthly income backed by long-term, triple-net leases. The REIT owns 375 properties across Canada and continues to grow through acquisitions, intensifications, and development projects.

While its fortunes are tied closely to Canadian Tire’s performance, the trust benefits from high occupancy, mission-critical assets, and strong pricing power on renewals—making it an appealing choice for conservative, yield-seeking investors.

Potential Risks: When Your REIT Depends on One Retailer

CT REIT’s stability comes with concentrated risk—over 90% of its leasable area is tied to Canadian Tire.

This tight dependency means the REIT’s fortunes rise and fall with its anchor tenant. While Canadian Tire has been resilient, any strategic shift or decline in its performance could have ripple effects on CT REIT.

The trust also faces exposure to interest rate risk due to its $3B+ in debt and operates many properties in secondary markets, which are more vulnerable during economic downturns.

Despite solid management and stable cash flows, CT REIT lacks diversification, making it a high-conviction bet on a single retailer.

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (CAR.UN.TO)

CAR.UN.TO 5-year Dividend Triangle.
CAR.UN.TO 5-year Dividend Triangle.

Investment Thesis: Stable Income with Rental Growth Upside

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (CAPREIT) is a leading residential REIT with over 48,000 rental suites across Canada and the Netherlands.

Known for its inflation-resistant cash flows and strong occupancy (97.5% in Q4 2024), CAPREIT offers steady income and long-term growth potential. It has delivered high single-digit organic rent growth while engaging in capital recycling—selling nearly $1 billion in Canadian assets in 2024 to optimize its portfolio.

With strategic property acquisitions, strong demand in rental housing, and exposure to international markets, CAPREIT is well-positioned for continued performance amid a tight housing market and rising rental rates.

Potential Risks: From Strong Rents to Squeezed Margins

While CAPREIT remains a top residential REIT, it faces mounting headwinds from rising costs, regulatory risk, and economic uncertainty.

Same-property NOI growth slowed to 3.4% in Q4 2024, as maintenance and repair expenses climbed. A potential shift in Canadian immigration policy could weaken rental demand, while high interest rates continue to pressure REIT valuations and acquisition strategies.

CAPREIT also competes with other major residential REITs and faces new risks through its European exposure, including currency volatility and unfamiliar regulatory landscapes.

Future performance will depend on its ability to maintain occupancy, control costs, and adapt to a changing macro environment.

Each REIT has strengths — whether it’s Granite’s industrial edge, CT’s retail consistency, or CAPREIT’s rental growth. Consider what fits your income goals and risk comfort.

Those REITs are great, but there’s more!

Monthly REITs are a powerful tool — but they’re not the whole picture. Relying solely on high yields can be risky, especially if payouts get slashed.

That’s why we built ‘Dividend Income for Life’ — a strategy that balances immediate income with long-term stability.

Discover the Dividend Strategy Built for Real, Long-Term Income

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