Stuck. Many Torontonians say they're clinging to affordable rental units and fearing what comes next

Hannah Hadfield and her partner have a comfortable two-bedroom apartment in Toronto's west end with relatively affordable rent. But like many renters in the city, she doesn't know what she'd do if they lost it. 

Her landlords are fantastic, but getting older. Meanwhile she and her partner are at the point in their lives where they have an eye to the future, potentially starting a family and looking for somewhere with a bit more space. 

But in Toronto's current rental market, the prospect of finding another place to live is a cause for concern. 

"If the market was normal, [losing our apartment] would be unfortunate but fine. We would go out and we would just get another two-bedroom apartment," she said. 

"But going out into the market right now is truly terrifying. Like, I don't know where we would end up or what kind of apartment we would end up in."

CBC Toronto has asked you to tell us about your rental experience. So far, hundreds have responded to our callout, with many saying they can afford their unit but are worried about losing it or finding somewhere better.

You can find our callout form here.

Some respondents told us they feel stuck, while others are worried about the future they envisioned for themselves and family.

That creates a number of challenges, from rentals that should be entry-level not opening up to many existing in a state of housing anxiety. One expert also says the issue takes away some of the things that have traditionally been a positive of renting housing, like the flexibility to move closer to jobs or daycare services. 

Kathrin Jassmann has an apartment near High Park and said she can't afford more rent than she's paying now.

"It's just depressing because I have a really decent job, I make a six-figure income and I'm scraping by and I can't afford a house or an apartment or a condo," she said. 

Ideally, Jassmann wants to leave the city for somewhere smaller. But she's finding rental markets outside the city are no better and ownership is unattainable. 

WATCH | Key concepts for understanding Toronto's chaotic rental market:

Jim Quick and his wife recently moved into a new place after their previous building was sold. The apartment is slightly smaller than where they were before but has two bedrooms, which will accommodate their baby on the way.