2945 E 52nd Ave – Residence Overview
This property is a rental building located at Vancouver, BC V5S 1T2, Canada, administered under Burnaby’s city listings. It offers a mix of non-ensuite rooms, two-bedroom apartments, and standard apartment units. Monthly rents range from CAD 950 to CAD 1,600, with a minimum lease of six months. On-site amenities include laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and a workstation. Before considering this residence, it is important to look at the actual resident feedback, the price position relative to the local market, and whether the property fits a specific tenant profile.
Location and Neighbourhood
The building sits in a residential area at the intersection of Vancouver and Burnaby boundaries. The exact postal code is V5S 1T2, placing it east of central Vancouver, close to major bus routes. Simon Fraser University (Burnaby campus) is the closest major university, roughly a 20-minute drive or 40-minute transit ride. The neighbourhood is primarily residential, with local convenience stores and parks nearby. Because the address is technically Vancouver, tenants may find themselves paying Vancouver-level utility rates while being administratively under Burnaby for city services – a detail worth confirming with the operator.
For students or workers commuting to downtown Vancouver, bus connections along Kingsway or 41st Avenue are available but can be time-consuming during peak hours. The property does not appear to be directly adjacent to a SkyTrain station; the nearest rapid transit stop (29th Avenue Station on the Expo Line) is about 3.5 km away, requiring a bus transfer.
Pricing and Room Types – Positioning vs. City Baseline
The Burnaby/Vancouver rental market has a wide price spread. According to the city-level reference data, the lowest monthly rent across Burnaby’s 60 listed properties starts at CAD 500 (indicative – confirm with the operator). The property at 2945 E 52nd Ave starts at CAD 950 and goes to CAD 1,600 per month. That places it above the city floor price by a significant margin, but within the mid-range for the southern part of Burnaby and eastern Vancouver. The lower end of the range (CAD 950) likely corresponds to a non-ensuite room in a shared apartment, while the upper end (CAD 1,600) covers a private two-bedroom unit or a larger apartment.
- Non-ensuite – shared bathroom and kitchen, cheapest option. Suitable for budget-conscious tenants who can tolerate shared facilities.
- Two-bedroom apartment – private rooms, may be rented as a whole unit or per room.
- Standard apartment – most likely self-contained units (studio or one-bedroom) at the higher end.
No deposit amount is listed in the data – ask the operator about deposit requirements, which are typical in BC (often half a month’s rent).
Compared to the city’s CAD 500 entry point, this property is about 90% more expensive at the minimum, reflecting its location near the Vancouver border and the availability of apartment-style units. For someone looking for a cheap shared house in central Burnaby, there are cheaper options; for someone wanting a private apartment in a quiet residential area, the price is in line with comparable listings.
Resident Reviews – What Actual Tenants Say
The property holds a Google rating of 3.1 out of 5, based on 192 reviews. The three reviews provided in the data are uniformly negative, rating 1 out of 5. Here are the verbatim quotes:
baz us (1 star):
“I had a very disappointing experience with this accommodation. The place was not properly maintained upon arrival, and the cleanliness did not meet basic expectations. Communication was also stressful and unprofessional. Even a short delay was treated with additional charges, which was not clearly explained beforehand.”
Rose (1 star):
“I had a very disappointing experience with this place. Communication was unclear and delayed, which caused a lot of stress and inconvenience on my arrival. I had to wait and repeatedly follow up just to get access. On top of that, there were unexpected requests for extra payment that were not agreed on beforehand, whic” (Note: the original text cuts off)
Rachel Cunningham (1 star):
“Sketchy building, sketchy rooms, as soon as we walked into the front door it stunk of cigarettes. The window wouldn’t lock/close and had no screen, and our room was on the first floor so anyone could just come in the window. Absolutely not what it looks like on the website. For how much we payed ($130 for ONE NIGHT) th” (text cut off)
These reviews highlight three recurring themes:
- Maintenance and cleanliness – dirty upon arrival, cigarette smell, window security issues.
- Communication and hidden fees – unclear policies, unexpected charges, difficulty reaching staff.
- Misrepresentation – units look worse than the online photos, with safety concerns (first-floor window without lock or screen).
It should be noted that 192 reviews exist, and the overall rating is 3.1 – this indicates a mix of both positive and negative experiences, but the negative ones are emphatic. Prospective tenants should strongly weigh these comments, especially regarding safety and communication.
Who This Residence Suits / Does Not Suit
Suits:
- Tenants who need a short move-in timeline and have low expectations – if you can inspect the unit in person and are willing to deal with potential disrepair, the price might work for a short stay.
- Groups of two looking for a private apartment – two-bedroom units could be shared between flatmates at CAD 800 per person (if split evenly) which is slightly below the city average for shared apartments.
- Individuals who are already familiar with the area and can negotiate terms – being able to visit the building beforehand and clarify all charges could mitigate some of the reported issues.
Does Not Suit:
- Anyone seeking a clean, secure, and professionally managed residence – the reviews strongly suggest that basic maintenance and customer service are poor.
- First-time international students – communication issues and unexpected fees can be especially stressful when you are not familiar with local rental practices.
- Tenants who rely on online photos – the discrepancy between listing images and reality appears significant.
- People with mobility concerns or who require a locked building – the reported first-floor window security is alarming.
- Budget travelers looking for short-term stays – the minimum lease is six months, and the nightly price quoted (CAD 130) is far higher than the monthly equivalent, indicating short-term rates are not favorable.
Room-Type Guidance
When booking, clarify exactly which unit type is available. The “non-ensuite” room likely shares a bathroom with other tenants. The “2b” tag suggests a two‑bedroom apartment that may be rented as a whole or by the bed. If you are a single occupant, a private one-bedroom apartment (if available) would be in the higher price range. Because the data does not itemise each unit’s price, you should request a detailed breakdown.
Important: the data tag includes “not_available,” which suggests some units or the entire property may be currently offline or fully booked. Always confirm current availability directly.
Booking Timing
The property shows no “available from” date and is tagged as “not_available” in the raw data. This likely means it is not currently open for new bookings, or that availability is seasonal. If you are planning for a lease starting in 2026 or 2027, check with the operator whether they expect vacancies. For fall 2026 semesters (typical university intake), many student housing units become available in late spring. Given the negative reviews, you should not rush – wait until you can verify the unit’s condition in person or via a reliable third-party inspection.
The minimum lease is six months, which is standard for mid-term rentals. Shorter stays may not be possible.
FAQ
H3: How can I confirm if this property is actually available?
Check the listing status on the platform you are using. The most recent data flags this property as “not_available.” Contact the operator directly and ask for the exact move-in date that matches your intended lease start in 2026 or 2027. Do not rely on automated availability indicators; ask for a written confirmation.
H3: What are the total move-in costs besides rent?
The data does not list a deposit amount. In British Columbia, a security deposit equivalent to half a month’s rent is standard. However, given the review mentioning “unexpected requests for extra payment,” request a full upfront cost sheet that includes deposit, cleaning fees, utilities, and any administrative fees. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
H3: Is the Wi-Fi and workstation included in the rent?
The property tags include “Wi-Fi” and “Workstation,” suggesting these are on-site amenities. However, you should ask whether Wi-Fi is free or requires a separate subscription, and whether the workstation (likely a shared desk) is available 24/7. Confirm usage policies and any extra charges.
Sources & data date
Rental prices, unit types, reviews, and city-level comparisons are based on data collected in July 2026. Ratings and review text are from Google (collected via the platform). City from-price of CAD 500 and property count of 60 are indicative figures from the same source and may have changed.
For live availability and to verify current prices and unit conditions, speak with the on-site assistant on this page.
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