Montreal residents are concerned as rental prices rise, fearing they may soon match those of Toronto and Vancouver, known for their high costs.
Montreal: Ken Cervera has called his two-bedroom apartment in Saint-Henri home for 12 years. It’s the longest he’s stayed in one place as an adult, and it means a lot to him, especially being far from family.
“As an immigrant, I’m alone here. All I have is my place. It’s not just an apartment, it’s my home, it’s where I live, where I keep my memories,” he shared at a community center in the Sud-Ouest borough.
This was Cervera’s first workshop with the local tenants’ association, POPIR-Comité Logement. After hearing about a significant rent increase recommendation from Quebec’s rental tribunal, he wanted to know more about his rights and community efforts to tackle rising costs.
For tenants without heat included in their rent, the TAL suggests a 5.9% increase, which could go higher with upgrades or property tax changes.
At the workshop, Cervera and others voiced their concerns about the rising costs. They’re worried that Montreal’s once-affordable housing might soon mirror the skyrocketing rents of Toronto and Vancouver.
“It’s not human,” Cervera said, reflecting on how his neighborhood has changed from a struggling area to a trendy spot with new businesses and condos.
According to POPIR, rents in Sud-Ouest have surged by 90% over the last decade, while the city average is 59%. “That’s huge,” said Catherine Fournier, a community organizer leading the workshop.
Last year, tenants were already expressing concerns about a 4% increase for 2024 being too steep. “Moving is a lot more expensive, so people risk accepting high rents and then face eviction if they can’t keep up,” she explained.
Cervera, who has degrees but struggles to find work in his field, pays $725 a month. While it seems affordable, his salary barely covers his expenses and student loans. “I really didn’t expect this after all the time and money I invested,” he said.
In 2025, tenants without heat included could see a 5.9% rent increase based on TAL calculations. The rental market report shows that while rent growth slowed, it still outpaced wage growth, making affordability a growing concern.
The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is now $1,176, with a low vacancy rate of 2.1%. The report also highlights that lower-priced apartments are scarce, and new tenants face much higher rent increases.
On the bright side, Montreal is building rental units faster than other Canadian cities, which helps keep the vacancy rate from worsening. However, many landlords still raise rents beyond recommended amounts, and tenants have the right to negotiate.
Fontaine’s group is advocating for a mandatory rental registry to reduce repossessions and renovictions, which often lead to rent hikes. “With a registry, there would be a lot fewer repossessions and renovictions,” she said.
Landlords argue that the TAL’s suggested increase is necessary to keep up with inflation. “Landlords have seen their costs explode in recent years,” said Eric Sansoucy from a landlords’ association.
David Wachsmuth, a McGill University professor, notes the power imbalance in favor of landlords. “They can ask for whatever they want, and tenants have no choice but to accept it,” he said.
While Montreal rents are still lower than in many places, the gap is closing. “It’s a really worrying time because we should be looking at how to keep Montreal affordable, not the other way around,” he added.
Wachsmuth called the TAL’s recommended increase “pretty striking,” warning it endorses unsustainable growth in living costs. He emphasized that Montreal’s unique housing landscape is at risk if prices keep climbing.
