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Rent budget calculator + visit checklist

Estimate a realistic rent range from your monthly net income and other payments, then keep a simple checklist during apartment visits.

Realistic budget

Based on your net income and fixed payments.

Local reference

Add city and layout for better market context.

Clearer visits

Keep a simple checklist and email it to yourself.

City

To choose

Target layout

Flexible

Housing target

25% - 35%

Other payments

$0

Monthly budget

Enter your income, other payments, and your housing target.

Your income after tax.

Car, debt, childcare, subscriptions, or other fixed payments.

Many renters try to keep housing around 25% to 35% of net income.

See your recommended range

Then continue directly to the visit checklist.

Tenant's guide

Setting your rent budget in Quebec

In Quebec, rent rarely covers everything. Before signing a lease, you need to factor in utilities, the legally allowed deposit and your ability to absorb a yearly increase. Here is how to land on a rent figure that won't put you in the red.

The 30% rule, its limits, and the critical threshold

The rule of thumb is to keep rent below 30% of net income. The number comes from lenders: above that, your ability to save and absorb the unexpected drops sharply. In Greater Montreal post-2022, many renters now sit closer to 35% — manageable but tight.

Past 40% of net income on housing, you enter what CMHC classifies as housing precarity. That's the threshold institutional landlords watch: an application above it is often rejected even with strong credit.

Costs that often get overlooked

In Quebec, electricity (Hydro-Québec) and heating are rarely included. Budget $60–$150/month for a 3½ (one-bedroom) and $100–$250/month for a 4½ or 5½ (two- or three-bedroom), with sharp winter spikes if heating is electric. Internet adds $50–$80/month.

For a move, also budget: tenant insurance ($15–$30/month — not required by law but often required by the lease), a Hydro-Québec deposit for new customers (around $100–$200, refundable) and an internet installation fee or deposit.

What a landlord can — and cannot — ask

By Quebec law, a landlord cannot collect more than the first month's rent at signing. No security deposit, no "last month's rent" as in Ontario. Be skeptical of any request that tries to work around this rule.

A landlord can ask for: ID, proof of income (pay stubs or notice of assessment), prior-landlord references and — with your written consent — a credit check. They cannot demand your social insurance number and should not keep a copy of your driver's license after verification.

Rent increases: what to expect

Each year, the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) publishes a calculation grid for reasonable rent increases. The grid factors in changes in municipal and school taxes, energy costs and major works on the building. In recent years it has averaged 1.5–4%, varying by building profile.

If your landlord proposes a higher increase, you have the right to refuse and keep your unit. The landlord then has to bring the case to the TAL — a multi-month process that rarely results in an above-grid increase for standard buildings.

General information provided for guidance. For an assessment tailored to your situation, contact us.

Go further

Know the market before you sign

Average rents by city and the documents Quebec landlords can ask for.

How to set the right rental price in Montreal in 2026

A complete method to estimate the fair rent of your Montreal unit: comparables, adjustment factors, pitfalls to avoid, free tools, and neighborhood benchmarks.

Read — 9 min

How to set the right rent in Laval in 2026

Complete method to set a defensible rent in Laval: sector-by-sector comparables (Chomedey, Sainte-Rose, Vimont, Pont-Viau), metro/REM impact, inclusions, and mistakes that prolong vacancy.

Read — 7 min

How to set the right rent in Longueuil and the South Shore in 2026

Complete method to set a defensible rent in Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Saint-Hubert, Boucherville and Greenfield Park: comparables, REM impact, and South Shore-specific mistakes.

Read — 7 min

What Documents to Ask a Tenant in Quebec?

Mandatory documents, optional documents, what you can't ask for, and a ready-to-use request template. Compliant with Quebec's Charter and Law 25.

Read — 8 min

Next step

Explore further

Our tenant placement service

Full method, objective criteria, OACIQ broker — Montreal, Laval, Longueuil.

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Rentals in Montreal

Listings and average rents.

Rentals in Laval

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Rentals in Longueuil

Listings and average rents.

All free tools

Calculators, market data, assessment rolls.

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers for tenants and owners across Greater Montreal.

What percentage of net income should go to rent in Montreal?
The classic guideline is to keep rent below 30% of monthly net income. In Montreal, Laval and Longueuil — where rents have risen sharply since 2022 — many tenants now sit closer to 35%. Past that point, it becomes hard to absorb rising costs or an unexpected expense without taking on debt.
Should utilities (Hydro, internet, heating) be included in the budget?
Yes. Many listings advertise rent without electricity or heat, which can add $100 to $250 per month depending on the unit and the season. Calculate your rent budget including Hydro-Québec, internet, and heating when not included — that way you compare listings on a real, all-in basis.
How much rent can I afford on $50,000 net per year?
At roughly $4,165 net per month, a reasonable rent ranges from $1,250 (30%) to $1,460 (35%) including utilities. In Greater Montreal, that budget typically targets a 3½ or 4½ depending on the area. The Plateau and Verdun will be tight; Rosemont, Saint-Hubert or Chomedey remain accessible.
What documents can a Montreal landlord ask for?
Usually: proof of income (pay stubs or notice of assessment), ID, references from previous landlords, and — with your written consent — a credit check. A landlord cannot demand more than the first month's rent in advance, and no security or damage deposit beyond that.
How do I use the visit checklist?
The checklist covers items easy to forget during a visit: water pressure, window condition, sound insulation, signs of humidity, and heating/ventilation operation. Print it or keep it on your phone — you'll compare apartments objectively afterwards instead of relying on a first impression.