Finding a Rental in Montreal

Looking for an apartment starts with planning. What are your needs? What are your likes and dislikes? Here are some of the options you may wish to consider, along with a few benefits and drawbacks of each.

What you should know

Choosing your living situation

Renting on your own

  • Perks: Total freedom and privacy, option to sublet part of the unit later on if you wish
  • Things to consider: Bigger financial commitment, full responsibility for all of the obligations under the lease, can get lonely

Renting with roommates (co-living)

  • Perks: Less expensive, built-in community (popular choice for students)
  • Things to consider: Less privacy, shared responsibilities

Living in a student residence

  • Perks: Practical (all-inclusive fees), more opportunities to socialize, shorter-term commitment
  • Things to consider: Community living rules to follow


When to start looking for an apartment in Montreal

Many apartments in Montreal come with a 12-month lease that runs from July 1 to June 30 and that renews automatically from year to year. If a tenant decides not to renew the lease, this is generally done between January 1 and March 31, which is why most available apartments tend to be listed around this time. It’s therefore best to start your search in late winter or early spring (February/March).

Some leases do renew at other times of the year, and there are shorter-term rentals available, especially during the summer. Some apartment buildings in the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood catering specifically to the student population list units in the weeks leading up to September.

Tenant Tip

Beware of rental scams. Never sign a lease or give money to anyone without visiting the space in person.

Tenant Tip

It’s illegal in Quebec for a landlord to require a deposit of any kind. They may, however, ask for the first month’s rent (as opposed to first and last) up front.

One city, many communities

Montreal is made up of various boroughs and neighbourhoods, each of which has something unique to offer prospective residents. See below for more information on each to help you figure out where you want to be.

Nearby amenities and transportation

Before deciding where you’d like to live, check to see how handy the location is to things like grocery stores, public transit and other essential amenities.

Tenant Tip

Remember that there are three HEC Montréal buildings, two of which are located in the Côte-des-Neiges area and one in the downtown core (Ville-Marie borough).

Tools and resources to help with your apartment search

When you’re apartment hunting, it’s best to look at as many places as you can. That way, you’ll increase your chances of finding something that suits your needs. The listings on the HEC Montréal website are one of these places, but there are many others. You can also walk around the neighbourhoods you’re interested in and look for “for rent” (à louer) signs.

Online rental listings

Tenant Tip

Pictures, videos, a high price and/or a detailed description aren’t enough to guarantee that a listing is genuine or accurate. A in-person visit is the only way to ensure that a rental meets your needs and expectations.

The neighbourhood walkabout: A winning strategy

Some landlords only advertise their vacancies with a sign outside their property. If you’re interested in apartments in a given area, go for a stroll and take notes!

Student residences

The HEC Montréal–Darlington residence rents private rooms to 40 full-time international students.

Short-term accommodations

Si vous n’avez pas encore trouvé de logement, réservez un hébergement temporaire pour les premières nuits à Montréal. Plusieurs possibilités s’offrent à vous : hôtel, auberge de jeunesse, couchsurfing, etc.

Any questions?

Feel free to reach out to us at logement [at] hec.ca (logement[at]hec[dot]ca)