What you need to know about renting in Montreal
Ah, Montreal. There are so many reasons why someone might choose to move to Montreal, from its affordable rent (compared to many other major North American cities) to its vibrant atmosphere, with a multitude of festivals held throughout the year. And you have access to incredible food; Montreal is actually ranked as having the second-highest number of restaurants per capita in North America—just behind New York City.
So, if you decide to rent in Montreal (and why not?), here's what you should know:
Electricity and heating can be separated
If you're looking for a place where heating is included, you might have to search for a while. Most apartments come with separate bills for electricity and heating, and in winter, that bill can get quite high. If you want to know how much you'll be paying, call Hydro-Québec and ask them what the previous tenant paid for your potential new apartment.
You can also ask the previous tenant directly, but this is not always possible.
Consider the convenience of your devices.
If you've never had to take your laundry down the street just to get it washed, you might not appreciate the convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer. The same goes for a dishwasher. These are large appliances that can add to your overall energy bill, but the convenience shouldn't be overlooked. If the previous tenant had these items, you might have to pay extra, but they'll make your life easier in the long run.
If you don't have room for one of these appliances, you should keep in mind whether there are machines in your building or a laundromat nearby. Otherwise, it's a huge hassle.
You can ask your landlord how much the previous tenant paid.
Rent increases typically occur around January or February each year. The increase depends on several factors, but the Régie du logement (Rental Board) only allows a certain maximum. If the cost of replacing the apartment is significantly higher than the Régie's permitted limit, you can request a rent reduction.
The scale of apartment sizes in Montreal can take some getting used to.
When you're looking for an apartment, you may already be familiar with the typical "size" designations—i.e., studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, etc. Montreal uses a slightly different scale, ranging from 1 1/2 to 5 1/2 and beyond. The breakdown is as follows:
- 1 ½: a studio or individual room, consisting of a single bedroom which contains a kitchenette and a separate bathroom.
- 2 ½: a one-bedroom apartment, consisting of a single bedroom and a separate living room, as well as a kitchenette and a bathroom.
- 3 ½: as above, with an additional bedroom, a more separate living room and a larger kitchen.
- + 4 1/2: increases from this point on will include an additional room, typically a bedroom.
The further you get from the city, the cheaper the rent.
Downtown Montreal is a popular area. It's often crowded with tourists year-round, so finding an affordable apartment downtown can be difficult. If budget is a concern, you might want to consider a location further from the city center.
If you're a student, you might be looking for a decent commute to school if you're concerned about the cost of rent. The most popular areas are near universities and colleges, and these can be expensive. That said, if you're lucky, you can find a nice location just about anywhere.
You may need to purchase insurance.
Tenant insurance isn't always mandatory, at least not in Quebec, but your landlord can include it as a requirement in your lease. Fortunately, tenant insurance is a small amount compared to your other bills and can protect your belongings and cover your liability should anything happen. Contact Panda7 for a tenant insurance quote in Montreal.
Check whether animals are allowed or not.
The prohibition of animals is a matter of choice for each landlord, not a blanket policy in Quebec. If your landlord decrees that you cannot have dogs or cats, you're out of luck.
If pets are allowed, there may be prohibited species—for example, certain dogs or specific breeds of dogs—but you have some flexibility. However, you must ensure your pet behaves well and doesn't disturb other tenants or destroy anything. The landlord would be perfectly within their rights to ask you to remove the pet if this were the case.
Most landlords require a one-year lease.
In Montreal, most landlords will require a one-year lease. However, there is some flexibility with rental periods, and some landlords will allow you to lease monthly, for two years, or offer a lease that allows you to leave at any time. You might want to look at and try out a few apartments before committing to a long-term lease and discuss a longer or shorter term with your landlord.
Also, keep in mind that in Quebec, leases are automatically renewed. This is because tenants have the right to maintain occupancy. This is great if you like where you are and want to continue living there, but it might not be so great if you wait until the end of your lease to move.
If you don't want to stay in your current location, you'll need to notify your landlord that you want your lease to end. Try to give three months or more notice before the end of the lease if you have a one-year lease, or one to two months' notice for a lease of less than twelve months. If you're accidentally caught in an automatic renewal, you can try to transfer the lease. Sometimes, the landlord or property manager will help you find a new tenant.
Excited to start your apartment search? Good luck!