Looking for a house to rent in Quebec? Whether you're Houses for rent in quebec canada Quebec City, or regional communities, Quebec’s rental landscape offers both opportunities and challenges. Rising rents, tight availability, and evolving regulations shape tenant experiences across the province. This guide breaks down the latest rental market dynamics and gives you actionable steps to find your ideal home.
1. Rental Market Trends Across Quebec
Rising Rents Outpacing Income Growth
In Montreal, average asking rents have surged around 71% since 2019, while home prices increased by 58%, and wages trailed at just a 30% rise—highlighting a growing affordability gap.
Across the province, rents are climbing due to strong demand and scarce supply. Although purpose‑built rental starts account for over 80% of housing starts in early 2025, affordable units remain elusive.
Vacancy Rates and Availability
Quebec’s rental market remains tight. While vacancy rates ticked up slightly—from 1.5% in 2023 to 2.2% in 2024—they’re still beneath the historical average of 2.7%.Affordable units remain especially scarce, even as overall availability edges higher.
Regional Rent Variations and Hotspots
Quebec City: One-bedroom average around $1,131—a 9% year-over-year increase.
Montreal: One-bedroom rentals average approximately $1,677, with regions like Plateau-Mont-Royal (
$1,623), Côte-des-Neiges ($1,545), and Le Sud-Ouest (~$1,682) in high demand.Other Urban Areas: Laval and Longueuil hover around $1,500 for a one-bedroom; Gatineau (
$1,400) and Trois‑Rivières ($1,200) remain relatively more affordable.
Rent Adjustments & Regulations
The Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) recommended a 5.9% increase in rent for unheated units in 2025.
In 2024, Quebec faced historically high rent hikes—up to 4% for unheated units.
Additional pressures from inflation and rising operating costs signal continued upward rent momentum.
2. The Renters’ Perspective
Renters Eye Homeownership
A recent Royal LePage survey shows 31% of Quebec renters contemplated purchasing a home before renewing their lease—the highest rate in Canada.
In Montreal, average rents are $1,727 for one-bedroom and $2,255 for two-bedrooms, both reflecting slight year-over-year declines
Despite cost pressures, 40% of renters spend 30% or less of their income on rent*, outperforming national averages.
Still, affordability is tight—renters made sacrifices like cutting savings (31%) or delaying medical care (15%) to cover rent.
Shifts toward Rentals
Entering 2025, developers have pivoted toward building rental units, particularly in urban hubs, to remain profitable. This trend could lead to more options and bargaining power for tenants in the near term.
3. Snapshot: Houses for Rent in Quebec
While data and platforms for apartments are common, dedicated listings for houses ("houses for rent") can be found on specialized property portals.
Sample Rental Listings (via Properstar)
Mount Royal, Montreal: 4-bedroom, 3-bath house—for around CAD 4,600/month.
Other Montreal houses: Range from CAD 2,500–$7,700, with variations in size, location, and amenities.
Regional listings:
Saint‑Georges: 4-bedroom house for about $1,290/month.
Austin: larger 4-bedroom for $1,843/month.
These variations underscore suburban areas can offer better affordability compared to central Montreal.
4. Tools & Platforms to Aid Your Search
While Groupe Amar doesn’t specialize in rentals, here are notable platforms ideal for finding houses for rent in Quebec:
Properstar: Wide house listing coverage across regions.
Zumper: Real-time pricing trends and median rent data; useful for context.
Additional national tools like Zillow or Apartments.com may help—though local options like RentQuebecApartments.com, TrouveUnAppart.com, or apps from Rhino Media Group may offer more targeted Quebec listings.
5. Tips for Renting a House in Quebec
Start Early — With tight vacancy rates, begin your search well ahead of your move-in date.
Define Your Budget Wisely — Ensure rent stays within 30–35% of your net income.
Consider Locations Strategically — Suburbs like Laval, Longueuil, and Gatineau can offer better value than central Montreal.
Understand Rent Caps — Know legally allowed increase rates and whether utilities are included—which affects affordability.
Negotiate Smartly — In a shifting landscape, rental terms like included utilities, flexible leases, or minor upgrades may be up for discussion, especially in new developments.
Track Listings Efficiently — Use alerts on platforms like Zumper or Properstar to stay ahead.
Know Your Rights — Familiarize yourself with tenant protections under Quebec law. Ask for rent adjustment history or transparency from landlords.
The Houses for rent in quebec canada rental market remains competitive and expensive, but emerging supply, regional variation, and tenant shifts offer silver linings. By using smart search techniques, knowing market trends, and weighing location flexibility, house hunters can improve their chances of securing a fitting and fair rental.
