Housing

If you are a refugee and you need short-term, temporary shelter, please see the page on shelters.

Housing Rights – When you rent, you are a tenant, and in Quebec, tenants have rights that are protected by law.

Bedbugs  – In the past few years, bedbugs have returned to Montreal, like in other big cities in North America.

Finding an Apartment

There are many ways to find a place to live. You can check the classified ads of large newspapers like The Gazette (in English) or La Presse (in French). The Saturday paper usually has the most ads for renting apartments. You can also check online classified sites like Kijiji or Craigslist.

In Montreal, there are some unusual things you need to know about renting. First, you need a lease, which is like a contract to rent. Usually the lease is for 12 months, and most landlords prefer the lease to go from July 1 to June 30. This means many people in Montreal move their apartments on July 1. This day is a holiday in Canada (Canada Day) buy many people in Montreal call it “Moving Day”. As a result, there are many classified ads in the spring in Montreal, a few months before July 1. You also see many “A LOUER” (For Rent) signs in windows at this time.

Also, when you read classified ads in Montreal, there is a numbering system to tell you how big the apartment is. The ½ means a bathroom. 

  • 1½ – one room with a bathroom. It will have a kitchenette (small fridge and sink)
  • 2½ – like a 1½ but a the room may be double or L-shaped
  • 3½ – one bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom
  • 4½ – two bedrooms (or a double room), living room, kitchen and bathroom
  • 5½ – three bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom
  • 6½ – add more rooms/bedrooms for each bigger number

There are many parts of the city, and it can be confusing for a newcomer. Click here for a map of Montreal districts and neighborhoods.

 

Housing Rights – When you rent, you are a tenant, and in Quebec, tenants have rights that are protected by law.

Bedbugs  – In the past few years, bedbugs have returned to Montreal, like in other big cities in North America.