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

Finding an affordable apartment in Quebec has always been a major challenge for students, young professionals, and newcomers. However, with the application of new rules governing the real estate market, the situation has taken an unprecedented 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 this year of 2026. This legislation has fundamentally changed the rules of the game, particularly regarding lease transfers and subletting. The days of easily passing your apartment to a friend so they could benefit from an advantageous rent are over. Today, the deck has 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 emerging as the most flexible and secure solutions for finding accommodation in Quebec.

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

For decades, the lease transfer was the preferred tool for Quebec tenants to avoid abusive rent increases. By transferring your lease to another tenant, you ensured that the rent remained unchanged. However, Bill 31 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 rentals are the future, Shortage of student rooms in Brussels in 2026: Homestay becomes the go-to solution for the start of the academic year and Taxation and renting a room in Switzerland: How to declare your rental income in 2026

Lease transfer vs. Subletting: Stop confusing them

The first mistake to avoid is confusing lease transfers with 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 entirety of your contract to another person. Conversely, subletting is a temporary departure. You retain your status as the main tenant and plan to return to the home at the end of the agreed period.

Let's take a concrete example. If Julien, a student at Université Laval, goes away for a six-month internship in Europe, he will opt for a sublet. He will remain responsible for his apartment. On the other hand, if Marie finishes her studies and moves 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 shall see.

The landlord's new power of refusal

This is where the major change of 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 disturbing the neighborhood. Since the law was passed, a landlord can now refuse a lease transfer without having to provide any serious reason. They just have to say no.

But be careful, this refusal has an immediate and automatic consequence: the lease is terminated on the planned date of the transfer. For the tenant who wanted to leave, this is good news because they are freed from their legal and financial obligations. However, for the candidate who was hoping to take over the unit, it is a cold shower: they cannot move in. The landlord thus gets their property back and is free to re-rent it at whatever price they wish, which explains why a lease transfer no longer guarantees that low rent will be maintained.

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

While lease transfers have been greatly facilitated for landlords wishing to recover their property, the legislature has nevertheless maintained a strict framework to protect certain procedures. Whether you are a tenant looking to leave or a candidate searching for a roof over your head, you must know the deadlines and formal prohibitions imposed by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL).

Legal deadlines and lack of response

The formal procedure remains in place. 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 planned date for the transfer or sublet. From the moment this notice is received, the landlord has a strict 15-day period to respond.

What happens if they remain silent? 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 just to recover the unit.

The strict prohibition on 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 for a high price, the law now formally 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 utmost transparency. If you are subletting a room, the rent requested must not exceed what you pay yourself pro-rated 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 ability for tenants to pass on low-priced units to one another, 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 people to find rare gems in Montreal, Quebec City, or Sherbrooke, has shrunk considerably. Tenant candidates must now face a highly competitive open market, where 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 themselves 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

Given the complexity of the new rules governing traditional leases, renting a homestay or shared housing stands out as a prime solution. 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 owner-occupant offers unparalleled flexibility. You don't have to worry about the ins and outs of a lease transfer if you have to move. Room rental or Coliving contracts are often designed to adapt to the reality of students (9-month leases) or temporary workers. In addition, rents are significantly lower than those for an entire apartment, and utility bills (Internet, electricity, heating) are generally included, which greatly facilitates managing your budget.

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

How Roomlala supports you in this transition

We have designed our platform to make these connections as secure as possible. If you are a main tenant who wishes to sublet a vacant room in your large apartment (with your landlord's agreement, of course!), Roomlala helps you find the ideal housemate. Remember one essential point of vigilance, however: in the event 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 additional income while providing a service. In this scenario, you are not subject to the complex rules of Bill 31 lease transfers, since you are renting a room within your primary residence. It is simple, humane, 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 need to rethink the way you live!