Bill 31 in Quebec in 2026: Impacts on lease transfers and alternative solutions

In recent years, the Quebec real estate market has been going through a period of intense transformation. In this year 2026, access to housing remains a key concern, particularly with the full implementation of recent legislative reforms. Among them, Bill 31 Quebec 2026 has deeply redrawn the rules of the game between tenants and landlords, putting an end to certain historical practices that allowed affordable rents to be maintained from one occupant to another. At Roomlala, we know how much these changes can create uncertainty, both for students looking for a place to stay and for young professionals wishing to settle in the city.

Faced with these new restrictions, particularly regarding lease transfers, many Quebecers feel stuck if they have to leave their home before the end of their contract. However, very advantageous legal and financial solutions exist. Renting a room in a homestay or a regulated shared housing arrangement now presents itself as a safe and flexible alternative. In this article, we decode the concrete impacts of Bill 31 for you and explain how to navigate this new rental landscape with peace of mind.

Read also: Rising rental costs in Switzerland (Winter 2026): Renting a room to balance your budget, Student housing shortage in Belgium in 2026: Homestays as a supportive alternative and Youth Rent Subsidy fall 2026: How to finance your shared housing in Spain

Understanding Bill 31 Quebec 2026: The end of easy lease transfers?

What has changed since the adoption of Bill 31

Adopted on February 21, 2024, Bill 31, which amends various legislative provisions regarding housing, had the effect of an earthquake in the rental world in Quebec. Historically, lease transfer was the preferred tool for tenants to leave an apartment before the term while allowing a loved one or a stranger to benefit from a rent often below market price. The landlord could not oppose it without a serious reason, such as the new candidate's inability to pay.

Today, the situation has changed radically. With the full application of Bill 31 Quebec 2026, a Quebec landlord now has the right to refuse a lease transfer without having to justify a serious reason. This provision aims to give control back to landlords over the choice of their tenants and the setting of rent between two leases, but it greatly complicates the task for departing tenants.

The direct consequence of this unjustified refusal is major: the lease is automatically terminated on the transfer date initially planned by the tenant. In short, if you wish to transfer your lease and your landlord refuses, you are released from your obligations on the agreed date, but you can no longer transfer your advantageous rent to a third party. Let's take a concrete example: Marc, a tenant in Montreal, finds a job in Quebec City and wants to transfer his 4 1/2 at $800 to his friend Luc. The landlord refuses without giving a reason. Marc's lease will end on the planned transfer date, and the landlord will be able to re-rent the property at a new price.

The 15-day deadline: a strict rule still in force

Despite these upheavals, certain procedural rules remain unchanged and protect tenants. When you send a notice of lease transfer to your landlord, they do not have an infinite amount of time to decide. The law still imposes a strict 15-day deadline to respond to your written request.

At Roomlala, we always advise you to send this notice by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt, so that you have irrefutable proof of the date of receipt. From that moment, the countdown begins. If the landlord responds to you within 15 days to refuse, your lease will be terminated on the proposed transfer date, as explained previously.

However, the absence of a response from the landlord within this 15-day period legally amounts to acceptance of the transfer. If your landlord lets this deadline pass, they can no longer oppose the arrival of your candidate, and the lease transfer will be effective. It is therefore crucial to be extremely rigorous about dates and methods of communication to assert your rights.

Lease transfer vs. Subletting: Stop confusing the two!

Shared housing lease transfer: a definitive departure now regulated

It is imperative to distinguish lease transfer from subletting, because the rights, remedies, and impact of Bill 31 differ completely. A lease transfer corresponds to a definitive departure. You transfer your contract, you renounce all your rights to the property, and you have no more responsibility towards the landlord once the transfer is finalized.

In the context of a shared housing lease transfer, the situation can become particularly complex. If one of the tenants wishes to leave the property definitively, they must transfer their share of the lease. With the new legislation, the landlord can refuse this transfer without a serious reason. This leads to the termination of the lease for the departing tenant, but it can also force the remaining tenants to sign a new lease with the landlord, potentially at a revised rent, or to assume the entire initial rent alone.

This uncertainty pushes many young people and students to look for more flexible alternatives, where the departure of a roommate does not threaten the financial or legal balance of the other occupants. This is where flexible accommodation options make perfect sense in 2026.

Subletting: your ally for a temporary departure

Unlike a transfer, subletting is absolutely not impacted by the new restrictions of Bill 31 concerning refusal without a reason. Subletting applies during a temporary departure: you leave the property for a few months (for example, for a summer internship or a university exchange) with the firm intention of returning.

In this case, the landlord must still provide a serious reason (such as the subtenant's insolvency or documented behavioral problems) to refuse your subletting request. They cannot use subletting as a pretext to terminate your lease or increase the rent.

For example, if Sophie, a student at UQAM, goes to do a three-month internship in Sherbrooke, she can sublet her room. If she follows the procedure and proposes a solvent candidate, her landlord will have a hard time opposing it. At Roomlala, we facilitate making connections for these temporary sublets, helping you find reliable profiles to keep your home completely safe during your absence.

Quebec housing regulations and homestays

The exception of Article 1892 of the Civil Code of Quebec

Faced with the increasing rigidity of the traditional market, more and more Quebecers are turning to homestay rentals. What many do not know is that this practice benefits from an extremely flexible legal framework, far from the usual administrative burdens. Everything rests on a little-known exception in Quebec housing regulations.

According to Article 1892 of the Civil Code of Quebec, the rental of one or two rooms located in the owner's principal residence is completely exempt from the jurisdiction of the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). For this exception to apply, the room must have neither an independent exterior exit nor complete private sanitary facilities. It must be an integral part of the owner's living space.

This exclusion from TAL jurisdiction offers immense contractual flexibility. The landlord and the tenant are free to set the terms of the contract according to the general rules of Civil Code contracts: duration of the rental, notice periods, rent amount, and rules of community living. There is no mandatory lease renewal or strict control of rent increases, which reassures many landlords hesitant about the idea of committing to a standard lease.

Watch out for the legal qualification of the room

At Roomlala, however, we wish to raise a crucial point of caution. The dividing line between a simple homestay and an autonomous dwelling subject to the TAL is sometimes thin. It is essential to understand the legal qualification of the rented space well to avoid unpleasant surprises.

If the room you are renting or offering for rent has a separate entrance from that of the owner (for example, a door leading directly to the outside without passing through the common living room) AND private sanitary facilities (exclusive bathroom and toilet), the law considers it to be an autonomous dwelling.

As soon as these criteria are met, the exception of Article 1892 no longer applies. The housing falls back under the strict regulations of the Tribunal administratif du logement. The standard lease becomes mandatory, the rules for transfer and rent fixing apply, and the owner loses the flexibility inherent to a homestay. It is therefore essential to evaluate the configuration of the premises well before drafting the rental contract.

Renting a homestay in Montreal or elsewhere: The flexibility solution with Roomlala

Undeniable financial and legal advantages

In the current context, renting a homestay in Montreal, Quebec City, or Sherbrooke is no longer just an economic choice; it is a true strategy for peace of mind. For the tenant, it is the assurance of escaping the stress of complex lease transfers. You sign a clear contract, often for a short or medium term, adapted to your student or professional lifestyle.

Financially, a homestay remains one of the most affordable options on the market. Utilities (hydro, internet, heating) are generally included in the price, avoiding unpleasant surprises at the end of the month. In addition, the accommodations are often fully furnished and equipped, which significantly reduces setup costs for new arrivals in Quebec.

For landlords, it is a fantastic opportunity to generate significant extra income to cope with inflation and rising mortgage rates, while keeping full control over their home thanks to the Article 1892 exception. You can rent out your guest room for a few months without fear of getting stuck with a long-term lease.

Security and support: why choose Roomlala?

We know that taking the step of a homestay rental can raise questions. How can you be sure to come across the right person? How can you guarantee the payment of rent? It is precisely to address these issues that Roomlala was designed. Our platform acts as a trusted third party between hosts and tenants.

By using Roomlala, you benefit from verified profiles, a secure messaging system to exchange before committing, and above all, protected online payment. The tenant pays on the platform, and the landlord is assured of receiving their funds in a timely and secure manner. No more bad cheques or late payments.

In addition, we provide our community with contract templates adapted to homestay rentals, complying with the Civil Code of Quebec. Whether you are looking for accommodation for the fall 2026 school year or want to monetize an unoccupied room, Roomlala offers you a reassuring, human framework that is perfectly adapted to the new legal realities of Quebec.