Strict regulations on tourist rentals in Quebec (Fall 2026): Why hosts are focusing on the long term

Are you a host in Quebec who is used to renting out a room in your home for short-term stays? Since the fall of 2026, you have likely noticed that the tide has turned. Faced with the housing crisis, the provincial government has decided to crack down.

The Quebec tourist rental regulations have become particularly strict, turning what used to be an easy source of extra income into a real administrative headache. At Roomlala, we support thousands of hosts every day. We are observing a significant trend: more and more hosts are moving away from seasonal rentals to focus on medium- and long-term rentals instead. But why such a shift? In this article, we break down the new legislation, the financial risks involved, and, most importantly, why renting out your room for more than 31 days is now the safest, most profitable, and most stress-free solution.

Read also: 2026 property tax increase: Rent out a long-term room to offset your expenses, CIN regulations in Italy: Why long-term room rentals are appealing to hosts in late 2026 and 2027 Finance Bill and furnished rentals: What hosts need to know this fall

Understanding Quebec tourist rental regulations as of fall 2026

In Quebec, the law is clear: any rental of accommodation for a period of 31 days or less is considered tourist accommodation. This type of short-term rental requires obtaining a registration certificate issued by the Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ). This registration number must also be displayed clearly on all online booking platforms. However, since September 1, 2026, obtaining or renewing this precious certificate has become a real ordeal for hosts.

Quebec 2026 accommodation law: stricter registration requirements

The new Quebec 2026 accommodation law has introduced much stricter criteria to limit the proliferation of short-term rentals, particularly in tight urban areas like Montreal or Quebec City. From now on, for any annual renewal or new registration request with the CITQ, the documentation requirements have doubled. A simple self-declaration is no longer enough. The authorities require at least two recent proofs of primary residence (such as a Revenu Québec notice of assessment, an Hydro-Québec bill, or a valid driver's license at that address).

But that is not all. If you are a tenant or co-owner, the law now mandates providing written and explicit consent from the building owner or the co-ownership syndicate. This measure aims to increase accountability among all parties, but it is blocking many well-intentioned hosts whose syndicates systematically refuse tourist activity. At Roomlala, we receive messages every week from members who are being denied their CITQ renewal because of this new requirement.

The specter of CITQ fines: a major financial risk

Faced with these new constraints, some might be tempted to rent under the radar. This is a very bad idea. The government has mandated Revenu Québec to relentlessly track down illegal listings. CITQ fines are now extremely dissuasive. For an individual, penalties for operating a tourist accommodation without a valid certificate, or for not displaying the registration number, range from $2,500 to $25,000 per offense.

And inspectors are not slowing down: for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, over $3.6 million in fines were imposed on offenders across the province. Let’s look at a concrete example: a host in Trois-Rivières was recently fined $5,000 simply because his CITQ number had been expired for two months and he continued to accept guests for weekends. Digital platforms are also required to remove non-compliant listings or face even heavier fines, reaching up to $100,000. It is clearly no longer worth the risk for individuals just looking to generate income from an unoccupied room.

Why renting for more than 31 days is the best Airbnb Quebec alternative

Fortunately, there is a perfectly legal and much less restrictive solution: renting for more than 31 consecutive days. By exceeding this one-month threshold, you automatically fall outside the definition of tourist accommodation. This is what makes medium- and long-term rental the best Airbnb Quebec alternative on the current market. This strategic shift offers multiple advantages to hosts.

Total exemption from administrative and tax burdens

As soon as you rent your room or home for 32 days or more to the same person, you no longer have any obligations toward the CITQ. You do not need to apply for a certificate, pay annual registration fees, or prove your primary residence. This is a massive relief for those who dread the paperwork.

Furthermore, from a tax perspective, residential rentals of more than one month are exempt from the 3.5% lodging tax, as well as the GST and QST in most cases. This considerably lightens your bookkeeping. No more tedious monthly or quarterly reports to Revenu Québec to remit collected taxes. You collect your net rent and simply declare it as standard rental income on your annual tax return. This is an invaluable saving of time and energy for hosts.

Security regarding municipal and co-ownership regulations

Another crucial point of vigilance concerns local regulations. Even if you manage to obtain your CITQ certificate, that does not guarantee you the right to rent short-term. Many Quebec municipalities have modified their zoning to prohibit tourist accommodation in certain residential areas to protect the permanent housing supply.

Similarly, the majority of co-ownership declarations now formally prohibit short-term rentals to preserve the peace of residents. By opting for long-term rental, you legally circumvent these bans. Renting a room to a student for a semester is considered normal residential use, which is authorized by municipalities and generally tolerated by co-ownership syndicates because it does not cause nuisances related to the constant turnover of travelers. You thus regain peace of mind and maintain good relationships with your neighbors.

Long-term room rental Canada: a booming and highly profitable market

While short-term rentals attract interest with high nightly rates, long-term room rental Canada often proves more profitable over the year when you account for hidden costs. Managing a seasonal rental takes a tremendous amount of time: cleaning between each stay, laundry, managing key handovers, answering messages at all hours... By renting for longer periods, you reduce these management costs to zero.

But who are these long-term tenants? The demand is massive in Quebec. You can target:

• Local and international students: With the start of the academic year, thousands of students look for furnished rooms for 4 to 9 months (fall and winter semesters).
• Young professionals and temporary workers: Many professionals on assignment, nurses in regions, or construction workers need a comfortable place to stay for a few months.
• Newcomers: Immigrants often need transitional housing for several months while they get settled permanently.

Let's take the case of Sylvie, a Roomlala host in Sherbrooke. She used to rent her basement room to passing tourists. Between the cleaning and the slow winter months, she was making about $600 net per month while spending 10 hours a week on it. Today, she rents that same room to a student from the Université de Sherbrooke for $550 per month on an 8-month lease. She earns a little less on paper, but her occupancy rate is 100%, she has no more cleaning to do, and she avoided the $2,500 fine that was looming because her syndicate had just banned short-term rentals. Financial stability is the key word for this strategy.

How to successfully transition to long-term rental with Roomlala

Moving from tourist rental to residential rental involves an important change in the legal framework that must be well understood. At Roomlala, we give you the tools to succeed in this transition safely and with maximum peace of mind.

Understanding the jurisdiction of the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL)

The main point of vigilance when switching to stays of more than 31 days is the change in jurisdiction. Your rental no longer falls under the general civil code for the hospitality industry, but instead falls under the legislation governing residential leases, managed by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). This means the tenant acquires residential rights, notably the right to maintain occupancy for standard leases.

It is therefore mandatory to sign a lease from the Régie du logement, even for a room, and to clearly define the terms (fixed duration, inclusion of utilities, house rules). If you rent a room in your primary residence (and share the kitchen and bathroom), some TAL rules are more flexible, but caution is still advised. It is crucial to carefully select your tenant, as they will be sharing your daily life for several months.

Roomlala's support for a stress-free rental

This is where our platform truly shines. Roomlala is specifically designed for connecting hosts and tenants for medium- and long-term stays. We allow you to publish your listing for free and detail your house rules (hours, guests, use of the kitchen). Our secure messaging system allows you to communicate with candidates, verify their profile, their reasons for staying, and their references before accepting any booking.

Furthermore, by using our platform for the payment of the first month's rent, you are ensured of your tenant's initial solvency. We advise you to always ask for references, discuss your respective expectations during a call or visit, and write a clear contract. By betting on the long term via Roomlala, you transform a legal constraint (the Quebec 2026 accommodation law) into a fantastic opportunity to build human connections while securing a regular income, without the stress of CITQ fines.