Bill 31 in Quebec in 2026: What is changing for subletting and shared housing

Finding an affordable apartment in Quebec has always been a significant challenge for students, young professionals, and newcomers. However, with the application of new rules governing the real estate market, the situation has taken an unexpected turn. At Roomlala, we know how stressful looking for a place to live can be. That is why we want to break down Bill 31 Quebec for you, which was passed on February 21, 2024, and whose effects are being fully felt in 2026. This legislation has fundamentally changed the rules of the game, particularly regarding lease transfers and subletting. The days of easily passing your apartment on to a friend so they can benefit from an advantageous rent are over. Today, the cards have been reshuffled. In this comprehensive article, we will explain in detail what has changed, the traps to avoid, and why alternatives like homestays and shared housing are now the most flexible and secure solutions for finding a home in Quebec.

Understanding Bill 31 Quebec: The end of lease transfers as we knew them

For decades, lease transfers have been the preferred tool for Quebec tenants to bypass unreasonable rent increases. By transferring a lease to another tenant, it ensured that the cost of the housing remained unchanged. However, Bill 31 has put an end to this common practice by granting new rights to landlords. To navigate this new real estate landscape in 2026, it is crucial to fully understand the nuances of this law.

Read also: British Columbia rental law 2026: Why long-term renting is the future, Student housing shortage in Brussels in 2026: Homestay becomes the go-to solution for the new academic year and Taxation and room rentals in Switzerland: How to declare your rental income in 2026

Lease transfer vs. Subletting: Stop confusing them

The first mistake to avoid is confusing a lease transfer and subletting in Quebec. Although these two terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, their legal implications are radically different under Bill 31. A lease transfer corresponds to a permanent departure. You give up all your rights to the property and transfer the entire contract to another person. Conversely, subletting is a temporary departure. You retain your status as the primary tenant and plan to return to the property at the end of the agreed-upon period.

Let's take a concrete example. If Julien, a student at Université Laval, goes on a six-month internship in Europe, he will choose to sublet. He will remain responsible for his apartment. On the other hand, if Marie finishes her studies and moves away permanently for a job in Toronto, she will attempt a lease transfer. With Bill 31, the consequences of a landlord refusing these two situations are no longer the same at all, as we are about to see.

The landlord's new power to refuse

This is where the major change in Bill 31 lies. Previously, a landlord could only refuse a lease transfer if they had a "serious reason," such as the candidate's inability to pay the rent (insolvency) or a history of neighborhood disturbances. Since the law was passed, a landlord can now refuse a lease transfer without having to provide any serious reason. They simply have to say no.

But be careful, this refusal has an immediate and automatic consequence: the lease is terminated on the date planned for the transfer. For the tenant who wanted to leave, this is good news, as they are released from their legal and financial obligations. On the other hand, for the candidate who hoped to take over the property, it is a cold shower: they cannot move in. The landlord then recovers their property and is free to re-lease it at any price they wish, which explains why a lease transfer no longer guarantees the maintenance of a low rent.

The new rules for subletting in Quebec and lease transfers in 2026

While lease transfers have been greatly simplified for landlords wishing to recover their assets, the legislator has still maintained a strict framework to protect certain procedures. Whether you are a tenant looking to leave or a candidate looking for a place to live, you must know the deadlines and formal prohibitions imposed by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL).

Legal deadlines and failure to respond

The formal procedure still applies. When a tenant wishes to transfer their lease or sublet their apartment, they must send a written notice to their landlord. This notice must contain the name and address of the interested person, as well as the date planned for the transfer or sublet. From the receipt of this notice, the landlord has a strict 15-day period to respond.

What happens if they do not respond? The law is very clear on this point: failure to respond within this 15-day period is equivalent to acceptance. For example, if you send your notice on May 1st and hear nothing by May 16th, your transfer or sublet is legally accepted. Note that for subletting, unlike a transfer, the landlord must always justify their refusal with a serious reason. They cannot simply refuse in order to recover the property.

The strict prohibition against making a profit

Another major point of vigilance in Bill 31 concerns the financial aspect of lease transfers. Faced with abuses observed on social media where tenants were selling their leases at exorbitant prices, the law now strictly prohibits demanding financial compensation or making a profit during a transfer or sublet.

It is therefore illegal to ask the future tenant to pay a sum of money to "obtain the right" to sign the lease. Similarly, the forced sale of furniture at exorbitant prices to circumvent this rule is severely punished. At Roomlala, we always encourage the greatest transparency. If you are subletting a room, the rent requested must not exceed what you pay yourself pro-rata to the space occupied.

Why Bill 31 complicates the search for affordable housing

The impact of this legislation on lease transfers in 2026 is undeniable. By eliminating the possibility for tenants to pass on low-cost housing to each other, Bill 31 has accelerated the average rent increase when properties are returned to the market. When a landlord refuses a transfer, the lease is broken. The property returns to the open market, often with a substantial rent increase to align with current real estate market prices.

For students, young workers, and newcomers, this situation greatly complicates the search for affordable housing. The "hidden market" of lease transfers, which once allowed for finding rare gems in Montreal, Quebec City, or Sherbrooke, has shrunk considerably. Prospective tenants must now face a highly competitive open market, where the listed prices are often above their budget.

This new reality is pushing many people to rethink their criteria and turn to alternative solutions. Rather than exhausting yourself looking for an overpriced individual studio, sharing living space is becoming not only an economic necessity but also a strategic and sociable lifestyle choice.

Homestays and shared housing in Montreal: Your best alternatives

Faced with the complexity of the new rules governing traditional leases, renting a homestay or shared housing presents itself as a solution of choice. At Roomlala, we firmly believe that shared housing is the future, especially in a context where flexibility and affordability are paramount.

Flexibility and security for students and newcomers

Opting for shared housing in Montreal or renting a room from an occupant-landlord offers unparalleled flexibility. You do not have to worry about the complexities of a lease transfer if you have to leave. Room rental or coliving contracts are often designed to adapt to the reality of students (9-month leases) or temporary workers. Furthermore, rents are significantly lower than those for an entire apartment, and utilities (Internet, electricity, heating) are generally included, which greatly facilitates managing your budget.

It is also a great way to integrate quickly. For a newcomer to Quebec, living with locals or other housemates allows you to create a social network from day one, practice the language, and discover Quebec culture from the inside, far from the isolation that living alone in a studio can cause.

How Roomlala supports you in this transition

We have designed our platform to make these connections as secure as possible. If you are a primary tenant who wishes to sublet a vacant room in your large apartment (with the agreement of your landlord, of course!), Roomlala helps you find the ideal housemate. Remember, however, one essential point of vigilance: in the case of subletting a room, you remain solely responsible for the lease and any potential damage to your landlord. It is therefore crucial to choose carefully who you share your space with.

For landlords who have extra space, hosting a tenant via Roomlala is a fantastic way to generate supplementary income while being helpful. In this scenario, you are not subject to the complex rules of Bill 31's lease transfers, since you are renting a room within your primary residence. It is simple, human, and perfectly adapted to the challenges of the 2026 real estate market. In conclusion, although Bill 31 has transformed the Quebec rental landscape, warm and economical solutions exist. Sometimes you just have to rethink the way you live!