Housing Search

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Learn about Montreal and its boroughs

Before you start your housing search, it’s beneficial to familiarize yourself with the city. Montreal is divided into 19 boroughs, with UQAM located in Ville-Marie at the heart of downtown.

While living close to the university is convenient, other areas of Montreal offer attractions and amenities that may interest you. Since most neighborhoods are connected to downtown by public transport, living slightly farther from the city center can save on rent costs. To learn more about the different areas and their features, we recommend visiting the following pages:

The living conditions and environment of a neighborhood can impact the health and habits of its residents. The following sites will provide information on the population characteristics of a given area:

To make your public transport commutes easier, these tools may be useful:

Financially, it could be beneficial to live outside the island of Montreal. The cities of Laval and Longueuil are easily accessible through their respective metro stations. Additionally, various other public transport networks serve Montreal and its surrounding areas. For more information on other bus or suburban train networks, it is recommended to consult the EXO website.

Some online guides provide wise advice for those choosing to live in and around Montreal, such as:

Short-term Housing Search

Whether you are planning a short stay of a few days, several months, or you are waiting to access your accommodation, many sites can facilitate your search:

Long-term Housing Search

If you want to find your next cozy nest but don’t know where to start, it is essential to explore different platforms such as classified ad sites and Facebook groups dedicated to housing searches in Montreal.

Facebook groups allow you to post your own ad, letting you describe your cohabitation preferences. You can specify your interests and the type of roommate you are looking for, whether you are more studious, quiet, or like to party. Staying active in your search is crucial, as it increases your chances of finding the ideal housing. Once you spot an offer that interests you, don’t hesitate to express your interest to the landlord quickly.

Housing search sites and platforms:

Interesting Alternatives 

Rooms for rent in a homestay:

Intergenerational cohabitation:

Facebook housing search groups:

Housing search assistance organizations

Using a real estate broker (at your expense) could facilitate the search for housing that meets your needs. There are also housing placement agencies that generally act as intermediaries between the landlord and the tenant. If you choose to use such services, make sure you understand the terms of the contract that binds you to these agents.

Caution!

UQAM cannot guarantee the accuracy of information displayed on the above sites. Therefore, we encourage students to be vigilant, especially when scheduling an appointment for a visit, to ensure that the meeting takes place in a professional and safe setting.

During your search, to avoid fraud or misunderstandings, pay attention to certain details: check that the address is mentioned, that the landlord can be contacted by phone, and that the apartment can be visited.

Student Residences

UQAM’s student residences offer an economical option, but their popularity means they don’t always meet demand. It is crucial to plan ahead to reserve a room. We recommend frequently checking the UQAM student residences website to be informed of the opening of reservation periods, which generally occur one month before the end of the fall or winter sessions.

Other student residences are also available outside of UQAM such as:

The Lease

The lease is a rental contract between a landlord and a tenant. It includes all details concerning inclusions, rent price, payment method, and date.

It’s essential to ensure that inclusions in the rent, such as furniture, electricity, or internet, are explicitly mentioned in the lease. This precaution protects tenants in case of a failure of any of these inclusions. Indeed, in the event of a problem, it is the landlord’s responsibility to take care of repairs or replacement of the affected items.

The Student Life Services team has prepared this video capsule on leases, renewal, and subletting to guide you in your search.

Credit Check?

A credit check is allowed, provided the tenant consents. It allows the landlord to verify the tenant’s reliability concerning payments and respect for the premises. In this context, the landlord may ask the tenant to provide certain documents such as a credit statement from their financial institution or a recommendation letter from their previous landlord.

Beware of Frauds!

Fraud is possible and unfortunately very common.

Due to the housing crisis in Montreal, it’s important to remain vigilant as malicious individuals may try to scam students looking for accommodation. Several recurring scenarios include a landlord requesting an Interac or Western Union transfer before even viewing the property, an ad offering unrealistic conditions (an attractive property at an abnormally low price), or a landlord who is difficult to contact or resides abroad. In some cases, a simple search on the landlord can help verify the legitimacy of the listing.

Important !

Note that security deposits are illegal. The only advance payment allowed is the first month’s rent at the time of signing the lease. This amount obviously should not be paid again when moving in.

Familiarize Yourself with Types of Housing and Rentals

Wondering what “½” means in a 3½? What does “apartment for sublet” mean? Here are some details to help you better understand classified ads:

  • Size

In Quebec, the size of an apartment is defined by the number of rooms. The “½” represents the bathroom. Thus, a 1½ would have one room (a studio) and a bathroom, a 2½ would have two rooms, and so on.  

Generally, a 4½ will have two closed bedrooms, a 5½ will have three. However, the division of rooms is not always uniform, and a 4½ might have only one closed bedroom (and a double living room, for example), or a 5½ might have only two bedrooms. It’s important to ask for specifics about room division if the ad doesn’t mention it.

  • Furnished or Semi-Furnished

Apartments can be rented fully, partially, or not furnished at all. A semi-furnished place generally means that appliances (stove and refrigerator) are included. However, it is common for apartments to be rented without any furniture or appliances, so be sure to inquire, as purchasing appliances incurs additional costs.

  • For Rent, Sublet, Lease Transfer

An “apartment for rent” means that it is the landlord (lessor) who is looking for a tenant. Both the landlord and tenant are required to sign a lease, which serves as a contract. As a tenant, you will have rights but also responsibilities (for more on this, visit the suggested websites below).

An “apartment for sublet” indicates that the current tenant is looking for someone to temporarily occupy their housing in their absence. If you sublet an apartment, it means you pay rent to the tenant with whom you make an agreement. The subtenant enjoys the same rights as a tenant, except the right to remain in the premises at the end of the lease, meaning the tenant can take back their housing at that time. It is important to note that subletting must be accepted by the landlord. This option can be appealing if you are in Quebec for a short stay.

An apartment or lease will be “for transfer” when a tenant, during their lease term, wishes to transfer their lease permanently. By accepting a lease transfer, you become a tenant, with all associated rights and responsibilities.

  • Condo for Rent

An apartment is generally located in a building with a single owner who sets the rules that tenants must follow. There are also many condominium buildings (commonly called “condos”). Condos are “apartments” owned by separate owners. Thus, there is no single owner of the building, but several co-owners. Generally occupied by the owners, some are available for rent. In this case, in addition to adhering to your lease agreement with the owner, you will also need to comply with the condominium’s regulations. Be sure to request a copy of these rules during your visit.

  • Shared Accommodation, To Share, or Room for Rent

Shared accommodation means sharing an apartment with others. You are a roommate if you sign the lease with other people. Sharing is often used by students as it allows for splitting costs and chores.

Caution! Before signing a lease with others, find out about the responsibilities of roommates, especially regarding rent payment. The Educaloi website explains the issues of sharing well.

It is also important to distinguish a roommate from an occupant. The Plateau Mont-Royal Housing Committee has produced a document explaining this distinction.

For harmonious sharing, civility and respect are essential! Disputes between roommates can take a long time to resolve, so be proactive and ensure your lifestyle is compatible with your roommates’ (work hours, sleep hours, quiet periods, sharing chores, etc.). It might also be useful to sign a roommate agreement. 

For more information on housing, leases, rights, and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, we suggest visiting the following sites:

Perform a Thorough Visit

Ready to visit apartments? To make a wise choice, here are elements to check:

  • Delays: Traditionally, in Quebec, July 1 is considered moving day. Most leases are signed for the period from July 1 to June 30. As tenants must give notice of non-renewal of the lease 3 to 6 months before the end of the contract, March and April are good months for searching. If you can avoid moving on July 1, do so! It can be harder and definitely more expensive to rent a truck or find movers on this day.
  • Heating: In Quebec, housing can have several types of heating (electricity, natural gas, oil, heat pump). Additionally, heating can be central (controlled by the landlord for the entire building) or individual (under your control). Finally, the cost of heating may or may not be included in the rent. As the Quebec winter is harsh, a working heating system is essential. Also, it’s important to inquire about heating costs as they can vary greatly and thus influence your choice of housing. Hydro-Québec (for electric systems) or Energir (for natural gas systems) can inform you of the heating cost at a given address.
  • Windows and Doors: During the visit, check the windows and doors to ensure they close and open properly. Also, ensure the locks are functional.
  • Faucets: Do not hesitate to turn on the faucets to check that they do not leak, that the water pressure is adequate, and that the hot water works well. You can also open the cabinets to check under the sinks and basins: stains or rings could be a sign of plumbing problems.
  • Appliances and Furniture: When appliances or furniture are included in the rental, inspect them: open the refrigerator, turn on a stove burner, start the air conditioner, sit on the sofa… in short, ensure they are clean, in good condition, and that you will be comfortable.
  • Smoke Detectors: Landlords are legally required to install a smoke detector in all apartments. Ensure that there is indeed one in the apartment you are visiting.
  • Mold: Mold can cause serious health problems by deteriorating air quality. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to any signs of mold during the visit. Carefully examine ceilings, walls, and around windows, doors, and the bathtub. Black spots, rings, or warping, a smell of earth, or signs of water infiltration can be indicators of mold. 
  • Balconies, Stairs, Hallway, and Emergency Exits: It is also advisable to tour the common areas and the exterior of the building to ensure that balconies and stairs are in good condition. Check also that emergency exits are not blocked and that there are smoke detectors in the hallways.
  • Pests: Discovering insects in your apartment can be very unpleasant. Although it is often difficult to detect their presence during a visit, be vigilant. Moreover, do not hesitate to ask the current tenant or the landlord if there have been problems with bed bugs, cockroaches, rats, or others. It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that unsanitary conditions, including the presence of pests, are addressed.
  • Neighborhood: Do you want a peaceful and quiet living environment or, on the contrary, are you looking for a lively area? The lifestyle of the neighborhood varies from one area to another, some are paced by the proximity of bars and restaurants, others are found in more residential zones. When visiting your accommodation, take the time to tour the neighborhood, talk to the neighbors. Feel free to ask them how the neighborhood is, if they feel safe, if services are easily accessible (grocery store, pharmacy, public transport, etc.)… in short, question the residents about the most important aspects for you; this can offer you valuable information!

To ensure you don’t forget anything, these sites list questions to address during the visit:

Getting Help in Case of Housing Issues

Despite taking precautions, you may encounter problematic situations in your housing.

For any questions regarding the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords, we recommend consulting the websites of the Housing Administrative Tribunal and Éducaloi.

Additionally, numerous “housing committees” exist in Montreal. These community organizations defend tenants’ rights. You can visit their websites or contact them for information and assistance. To find the nearest housing committee, check the website of the Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec.

Making a Budget

Once you gather information about potential apartments, to make an informed decision, it will certainly be helpful to compare costs and create a budget.

Here are some websites to assist you in this regard.

Moreover, if you have dependents or are aged 50 and over, we invite you to visit the website of Revenu Québec to learn about the Housing Allowance program, a financial aid offered to some low-income individuals to help with housing costs.

Temporary or Emergency Housing

We encourage students in precarious situations or facing a housing emergency to contact us at allo@uqam.ca. Below is a selection of temporary or emergency housing options available to anyone at risk of homelessness:

For women only: