Housing in Quebec: What you need to know
Moving to Quebec is like anything else, it takes planning... And the first thing that comes to mind is housing. Alone, as a couple or as a family, several possibilities are available to you. From renting to sharing to subletting, it is generally easier to find a place to live in Quebec than in France. With the help of our real estate expert, Maxime Gaumont - real estate broker, discover everything you need to know to find a place to live in Quebec.
What youneed to know about housing in Quebec
Canada, and Quebec in particular, has its own way of doing things when it comes to real estate rentals. When you sign a lease, you commit yourself to a minimum of 12 months, renewable automatically (legal lease by the Régie du logement). If you wish to break the lease at the end of the 12 months, you must notify your landlord at least 3 months before the lease renewal date. It's also possible to leave your apartment before the end of your contract, but you'll have to find someone to take over the lease yourself. This is common practice in Quebec.
Also, you will notice that many leases start on July 1st and end on June 30th. Some will tell you that this is a Quebec tradition, but in reality, it is a law that was passed by the Quebec government in 1974 to protect tenants from winter evictions and to avoid disrupting the school year for children. July 1st is also Canada's national holiday.
Also, the naming of housing changes between the two countries, Canada has its own lexicon. When you research, you will find this information: studio, 2 ½, 3 ½, 4 ½ - this is the number of rooms in the apartment. The ½ is the bathroom (this counts as a half room). For example, a 3 ½ is equivalent to an apartment with a bedroom and bathroom in addition to a living room and kitchen, 4 ½: two bedrooms, etc.
Regarding the furnishing of the accommodation, the ads will also be accompanied by the following information: semi-furnished (includes basic appliances: stove, fridge, etc.) or furnished (includes at least a bed, table, chairs, fridge, stove, etc.). Furnished accommodations are common in Quebec, as the owners know that the province attracts many travelers and that they want a functional and ready-to-live-in accommodation. However, it is important to take into account that a furnished apartment will necessarily be more expensive than an empty or semi-furnished apartment (about $200 to $300 more).
Finally, there is the question of the budget and how much it will cost to rent an apartment. What you need to know is that prices vary greatly depending on the location in Quebec, the proximity of public transportation or the facilities present in the residence (pool, rooftop, gym, etc.).
If you find an accommodation from your country of origin thanks to housing platforms, do not make any advance payment. If a landlord asks you to pay a deposit or a rent in advance to block you the accommodation without having signed a rental agreement, run away! First of all, this is illegal and a common scam in Quebec and in other countries. If you really like the apartment, make sure to organize a video visit with the owner (to justify the existence of the apartment), if you have the possibility of sending a trustworthy person to visit it, it's even better and have a record of all your exchanges.
Maxime Gaumont - residential real estate expert What you need to know is that many owners or brokers (the equivalent of a real estate agent in France) work on a "feel" basis with the future occupant of the property. You may have the best file in the world, but if your attitude or presentation doesn't suit the manager, you can be sure that your file won't be retained. You need to show that you're a trustworthy person and that they won't have any problems with you.
What to do when you arrive in Quebec
In Quebec, finding a place to live can go fast, leases can be signed overnight. So, take your time to visit several apartments.
For your arrival, we recommend renting temporary accommodation (airbnb, hotel, sublet) for between 2 weeks and 1 month. By choosing this option, you give yourself the opportunity to get your bearings in the city you're moving to, you can identify the neighborhoods you like and, above all, you can visit several apartments. Don't neglect this period: you're signing your future home for your new life. Take the time you need, and don't rush into the first apartment you see.
When looking for an apartment, you have two options.
The first option is to be accompanied by a real estate broker who is the equivalent of a real estate agent in France. The advantage of using this professional is that he has access to a hidden market not present on other platforms, you benefit from a 100% personalized support, he organizes all the visits for you and simplifies the procedures for signing the lease.
To know: a real estate broker in Canada is free for a future tenant. All charges that we could assimilate to agency fees in Europe are charged to the owner.
Make an appointment with Maxime!
Maxime is a real estate broker in Montreal and accompanies his clients in the search for their first rental as well as in the acquisition of property. Thanks to his agency, he will be able to accompany you in all the province of Quebec. It is possible to benefit from remote services before your arrival, if you wish to have a home at your arrival.
The second option is to use housing search platforms, here are the most popular in Quebec:
- Kijiji
- Facebook Marketplace
- Facebook: do a search, there are a huge number of groups (often private) about finding accommodation (flatsharing, renting, subletting) in a given city.
- Centris
- Pvtists in Montreal
When you are going to organize visits, make sure you schedule them at a time when you can meet the neighbors. You will find out if your neighbors are friendly and if the house is well insulated. Quebec dwellings, especially the older ones, tend not to be well insulated against noise and therefore you can quickly live with the nuisance of your neighbors. Also, think about checking the following elements: thermal insulation, cleanliness, presence of a washing machine and a dryer (not to be neglected), state of the plumbing and electricity.
Maxime Gaumont - residential real estate expert You must also make a point of honor of the relationship with the owner. You may have more contact with him than you think, so be vigilant on this part too few times considered.
What to do once you have found your accommodation
Once you have found a place to live, you will need to provide some documentation to present your case to the landlord. The documents that will usually be requested are your passport, your last pay stubs, your work permit and a credit check if you can, or at times a proof of funds.
What is a credit check?
This is a credit check of the future tenant, it allows the landlord to make sure that you are a good payer and that you are able to assume the monthly expenses. To do this, the landlord must obtain the consent of the future tenant. Once the consent is obtained, the verification can be done with a minimum of personal information.
Credit investigation: student or newcomer, how does it work?
Persons with no rental history or credit experience, whether they are students or newcomers to Quebec, are not exempt from this verification. In this case, it is up to the parties to determine the documents or means by which they will be able to assess the solvency of the future tenant in accordance with the various laws in force.
What to do after signing
Once your application has been accepted, all you have to do is sign your lease and take out a home insurance policy (banks generally offer attractive policies). However, the landlord may ask you for a deposit before you move in. Be aware that the deposit is illegal in Quebec, but it is still very common in rental practices. In a disguised way, the landlord may ask you to pay rent in advance or to pay two rents (first and last month). In this case, make sure you always keep a written record of the landlord's identity.
The deposit remains illegal, but if voluntary on the part of the tenant, he/she gives up the protection that this law provides. In no case can the landlord pressure the tenant to do so "voluntarily".
Please note that the rent does not include the related charges. You will have to open an account with Hydro-Quebec, the only electricity supplier, and water is free in Quebec (except in some municipalities).
Finally, in Quebec, each year, the rent is increased by the landlord. The government announces the legal rate for the following calendar year at the end of January of the year in question.
If you wish to find a home with peace of mind and have an expert opinion, do not hesitate to contact Maxime Gaumont, real estate expert in Quebec: Make an appointment with Maxime!
