Is Airbnb Legal in Montreal?
It’s a dull day, you’re on your lunch break from work, and you’re dreaming of a vacation… You give in to your wanderlust and start searching for an accommodation: «Should I stay at a hotel, or should I rent an Airbnb? Is this a safe place to stay? Is it legal?»
It’s a situation you’ve probably experienced before, and some of your questions were likely left unanswered.
Here’s an overview to help demystify the legality of short-term accommodation rentals in the province of Quebec and in Montreal:
What is an Airbnb?
It’s important to note that the word “Airbnb” has become so common in our modern vernacular, it’s like referring to tissues as Kleenex. When we talk about an Airbnb, it generally refers to a tourist residence or short-term accommodation, according to the Quebec appellation.
The organization that governs tourist accommodations is called the CITQ (Corporation de l’Industrie Touristique du Québec). The CITQ website specifies that: “By law in Quebec, any chalet, apartment or house rented for periods of 31 days or fewer are obliged to have an official registration number.” It is therefore essential to check whether the accommodation you are looking to rent for your holidays has a registration number.
Permits and accreditation
To obtain a permit and registration number, an owner must provide the city with detailed plans, proof of ownership, and proof of insurance, on top of meeting a number of criteria for the city to grant an operating permit.
Crédit photo : CITQ
With this permit, the CITQ certifies whether the proposed Airbnb complies with regulations. This certification must be renewed annually.
A document like the one below must be prominently displayed inside the rental accommodation. The registration number must also appear in all listings and ads, no matter the media platform. Think of it like a doctor’s office—we want to see that the physician actually has a diploma before we let them treat us! ?
GOOD TO KNOW
Obviously, hosts must pay taxes on the income generated by their rental accommodation!
Every apartment/house/property must be equipped with these safety standards:
- A 2-million-dollar liability insurance certificate
- A fire extinguisher
- An up-to-date first-aid kit
- Working smoke alarms
- Other requirements may be added depending on the features available (indoor propane or wood fireplace, pool or spa, etc.)
Making an Airbnb legal in Montreal or Quebec is not an easy process; it requires a lot of effort and time. In Montreal, only properties on certain commercial streets can obtain new certificates. Others may have acquired rights dating back to before new regulations and laws were put in place.
Why is it important to make sure you rent a legal Airbnb?
Many owners (and even tenants) have been listing their space on rental platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com or others for years without many limitations, and without paying taxes. These practices were illegal and are fortunately now a thing of the past!
We’ve all heard the story of a friend of a friend who had their vacation ruined by a last-minute cancellation. Maybe that’s even happened to you. No one is immune to it, but the risks can certainly be reduced. Renting an Airbnb costs a decent amount of money, and no one wants to throw money to the wind. By making sure the place you’re renting is compliant with regulations, you ensure you’re renting an accommodation that actually exists and won’t get shut down by the government just before you travel. A booking for a registered and legal Airbnb is much less likely to get cancelled.
GOOD TO KNOW
CITQ visits all tourist accommodations every two years to ensure that the city’s fire, sanitation and compliance standards are being met.
Some platforms, including Airbnb, offer travelers coverage in the event of a last-minute cancellation by the host or if the apartment is unsanitary (because, yes, it happens!) This coverage can compensate you financially or help you relocate to another rental. At MTLVacationRentals, our cancellation policy is posted on our website, and we respect it! And don’t worry, we never cancel reservations!
In 2022, Airbnb removed 700 illegal listings in the Toronto area. All bookings assigned to them were cancelled. With Quebec’s Law 25 further regulating tourist accommodations, the same situation may soon occur in Quebec.
Why choose an accommodation through MTLVacationRentals?
Because we’re 100% legal!! Since the beginning of our accommodation rental operations, we’ve had all required permits in place from the City of Montreal and the CITQ, as well as the required insurance. For over 10 years, we’ve been managing about 20 fully furnished and equipped vacation apartments on the Plateau Mont-Royal. Opt for peace of mind and rely on our many positive reviews: our average rating is 4.87/5 on Airbnb and 4.9/5 on VRBO.
WE’VE BEEN A SUPERHOST SINCE 2015!
At MTLVacationRentals, we’ve raised the bar on cleanliness, comfort and safety with these added features:
A 24/7 emergency phone line
We are a small, highly professional and proactive team. We believe it’s essential to offer guests the option of speaking to someone on site in the event of an emergency. When you’re on vacation in a place that’s not your home, it’s reassuring to have extra support!
Smart code electronic locks
Lock codes are personalized for each stay and are changed after checkout. No more unpleasant surprises with unwelcome intrusions. We’ve all had this happen to someone we know!
Meticulous maintenance of our rental apartments
Thorough cleaning between each stay, including cleaning of all sheets, towels and even comforter covers (not all hotels can say that!). Our average cleaning time is 3 hours, whereas hotel staff typically only spend about 20 minutes on each room. We also carry out large-scale cleaning operations periodically.
Apartment inspection and daily maintenance
We don’t cut corners! Seasonal maintenance is performed on ALL appliances, including barbecues and air conditioners.
Update on Airbnbs in Montreal in 2023
Since 2018, the province of Ontario has implemented strict and clear regulations on tourist rental accommodations. The City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec followed suit this year, announcing similar measures following the terrible fire in an Old Montreal building. Despite these measures, some defiant owners continue to list illegal apartments or houses as short-term rentals, but this is fortunately not likely to last much longer, for the health and safety of residents and visitors alike.
We recommend that you read all about the new laws concerning tourist accommodation before your next visit in the city.
In light of this information, be vigilant, ask questions and be informed before renting an apartment or vacation home for a short-term stay in Montreal. Nothing matters more than your safety and peace of mind!
Enjoy your holiday!
The MTLVacationRentals Team