What is the average rent in Quebec?

The average asking rent in Quebec is approximately $1,350 for a 1-bedroom and $1,700 for a 2-bedroom. Purpose-built rents from CMHC data are much lower — roughly $900–$1,200 for a 1-bedroom — reflecting Quebec''s strong tenant protections that keep long-term rents well below market levels.

Does Quebec have rent control?

Quebec has a unique tenant-protection system administered by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). There is no fixed annual percentage — instead, the TAL publishes recommended adjustment ranges based on building operating expenses. Tenants can contest any increase they consider excessive.

What is the vacancy rate in Quebec?

Montréal CMA vacancy was 2.9% in October 2025, up sharply from 1.8%. Quebec City CMA vacancy was approximately 3.5%. Conditions eased significantly across the province in 2025.

Is Quebec the cheapest province to rent in?

Among provinces with major CMAs, Quebec has the lowest purpose-built rents. Montréal 2-bedroom purpose-built apartments average ~$1,200 — roughly 40% cheaper than Toronto. However, Atlantic provinces have comparable or lower rents in some cities. Quebec''s low rents are partly a product of its strong tenant protections.

Quebec Rental Market Data 2026 | Average Rent & Vacancy Rates

Quebec rental market data

Quebec has some of the strongest tenant protections in Canada and, as a result, some of the lowest purpose-built rents. Montréal is the province’s dominant rental market — one of the three largest CMAs in Canada alongside Toronto and Vancouver.

In 2025, Quebec’s rental market eased significantly. Montréal’s vacancy rate jumped to 2.9% from 1.8% as immigration-driven demand cooled and new supply deliveries increased.

Data source: CMHC Rental Market Survey (October 2025), published December 2025. This is the most recent CMHC rental data available — the survey is conducted once per year every October. Next update expected December 2026.

Average rent by city (Quebec)

City	2BR Purpose-Built	2BR Asking Rent	Vacancy Rate
Montréal	~$1,200	~$2,050	2.9%
Québec City	~$1,100	~$1,350	~3.5%

The enormous gap between purpose-built and asking rents in Montréal illustrates the effect of Quebec’s tenant-protection system: long-term tenants pay well below market, while turnover units are repriced to current levels.

Quebec asking rents average approximately $1,350 for a 1-bedroom and $1,700 for a 2-bedroom across the province.

Quebec tenant protections

Quebec’s rental framework is administered by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL):

No fixed guideline percentage — The TAL publishes recommended adjustment ranges based on building expenses (heating costs, municipal taxes, insurance, maintenance)
Tenant can contest — If a tenant considers an increase excessive, they can apply to the TAL for a ruling within one month of receiving notice
Automatic lease renewal — Tenants have the right to stay and renew their lease; landlords cannot refuse renewal except in specific circumstances (personal use, major renovations, subdivision)
Assignment and subletting — Tenants can assign their lease to a new tenant, effectively transferring their below-market rate
New construction exemption — Buildings less than 5 years old were previously exempt from TAL recommendations, though this has been subject to legislative evolution
Lease transfer (cession de bail) — A distinctive Quebec feature that allows outgoing tenants to pass their lease to someone new, preserving below-market rents

Vacancy rate trends

Montréal CMA Vacancy Rate (2015–2025)

Montréal’s vacancy rate has been volatile, dropping to 1.5% during high-immigration years (2019, 2023) and rising when supply improves or demand cools.

Key market drivers

Immigration patterns: Quebec receives a large share of Canada’s immigrants and temporary foreign workers, driving rental demand — particularly in Montréal. The 2025 slowdown in immigration helped ease the market.

Strong tenant protections: Quebec’s lease-assignment system and TAL oversight keep in-place rents low but widen the gap with market rents, creating a two-tier system.

Student demand: Montréal’s universities (McGill, Université de Montréal, Concordia, UQAM) make it one of North America’s largest student cities, supporting rental demand.

Affordable relative to peers: Montréal’s affordability advantage over Toronto and Vancouver continues to attract domestic migrants and immigrants who might otherwise settle in Ontario or BC.

Quebec city rental market pages

Montréal Rental Market — Quebec’s largest rental market

Renting in Quebec: tenant rights overview

Quebec’’s Housing Tribunal (Tribunal administratif du logement, TAL, formerly the Régie du logement) provides strong tenant protections:

Rent increases: Landlords must notify tenants of any rent increase using a prescribed form; tenants can refuse and the TAL determines a “reasonable” increase
Lease renewal: Quebec’’s lease is automatically renewed unless proper notice is given
Security deposit: No security deposits allowed in Quebec — unique among provinces
Moving rights: Tenants have strong rights against eviction for personal occupancy (landlord must compensate if evicting for owner-occupancy)
Lease transfer: Tenants can transfer (assign) their lease to another person; landlord must have reasonable grounds to refuse

Average rents — Quebec (2025)

City	Avg 1BR	Avg 2BR	Vacancy rate
Montreal	~$1,600	~$2,000	~2.3%
Quebec City	~$1,100	~$1,350	~3.8%
Gatineau	~$1,300	~$1,600	~3.0%
Sherbrooke	~$900	~$1,100	~4.2%

Frequently asked questions

What is “1.5 months’’ rent” vs regular rent in Quebec? Quebec uses a unique lease calendar. Leases typically start July 1 (the “moving day” tradition). Many leases are for one year at a fixed monthly rent. Quebec has no security deposit, so tenants are not required to put up a deposit — but landlords can sue through the TAL for damages.

Can a Quebec landlord increase rent more than the TAL guideline? Landlords can propose any rent increase, but tenants can refuse. If refused, the TAL determines the “reasonable” increase based on costs (taxes, insurance, maintenance, mortgage costs). In practice, many rent increases are negotiated between landlords and tenants, with TAL intervention only when they cannot agree.

Quebec rental market: key differences from other provinces

Quebec stands apart from other Canadian provinces in its rental market:

No security deposit: Quebec is one of two provinces (with NL) that prohibits security deposits. Landlords can only collect first and last month’’s rent in the lease signing phase — and “last month” is technically not a deposit but a rent payment.
Lease assignment rights: Quebec tenants can transfer their lease to a new tenant (subject to landlord approval that cannot be unreasonably withheld). This means below-market rents can be “passed on” — a unique feature that moderates effective rent inflation for existing tenants.
Moving Day: Quebec’’s tradition of July 1 lease renewals concentrates moves in a single day, straining moving services. Leases starting on other dates are increasingly common but July 1 remains dominant.
Language: All lease documents in Quebec must be in French (or bilingual upon request in writing from the tenant). The TAL provides services in English.

Canada Rental Market Data — national overview
Average Rent in Canada — rent comparison by city and province
Income in Quebec — provincial income data

Sources

CMHC Rental Market Survey — Housing Market Information Portal
CMHC 2025 Rental Market Report — December 2025
Tribunal administratif du logement — Quebec rent adjustment framework