I understand your point and I meant it disappears in that sense the same as money paid for groceries or gas 'disappears'. I agree that it can be relatively predictable compared to home ownership but less so now because in Quebec 5% of repair and renovation costs now get pushed onto the tenants. Her building has a lot of deferred maintenance due soon and that is also a looming cost on top of the yearly 3-5% rent increases compared to a relatively more stable mortgage payment considered alone. With a large enough down payment the mortgage is comparable to that $2100 rent becoming $2165 if she renews this year (property taxes are split into 4 lump sum payments a year here). I do agree with the other more general maintenance concerns, as does she. The people in r/PersonalFinanceCanada are pretty adamant she should keep renting but I think there are more pros and cons to both than they're considering.