Montreal’s housing crisis: what can be done?
If looking for an apartment in Montreal is making your head spin this year, you’re not alone. A report released last week shows that in 2020 the city saw its biggest rent increase in the last two decades. Yes, during a pandemic.
On top of skyrocketing prices, tenants groups have been working tirelessly to help people navigate discriminatory practices, apartment conditions, and evictions under the pretext of renovations to bump up rent (renovictions). More and more people are being forced to accept subpar living conditions, taking on a lease they can’t afford, or staying put in their apartments.
Montrealers have been concerned about the acceleration of the housing crisis for years. For example, Parc-Extension has been seeing the effects of gentrification brought on by a new Université de Montréal campus in the area since 2017. Though 43 per cent of Parc-Extension households live below the poverty line, rent prices have been going up while major cultural hubs are bought by condo developers.
The previous municipal administration promised residents 225 units of social housing. By 2019, only 54 units had been built. According to the 2015 census data, Montreal’s homeless population reached over 3,000 people, over 400 of which sleep outside. Though homelessness rates are lower than other major cities facing housing crises like Toronto and Vancouver, Montreal has a higher number of people sleeping outside.
With July 1, Montreal’s moving day, rapidly approaching, factors brought on by the pandemic are presenting additional challenges like loss of income and limits on in-person visits. While people are struggling to find housing, Quebec’s premier proved to be out of touch with the city’s reality when he estimated that an apartment in Montreal costs $500 per month.
The numbers are grim. Even with Quebec announcing a $151 million project to build 1500 units of affordable housing in the province, many are skeptical since these promises have been made before. But it is a step forward and one that is sorely needed. Housing activists have also been advocating for a mandatory publicly available and free rent registry to demand accountability. However, the provincial government has deemed the project “too expensive.”
Though many are reluctant to rely on the government, there are ways Montrealers can work together to keep rent prices low and help each other find housing. Here’s some important information everyone should know:
Refused housing based on discriminatory practices?
Are you unsure that you’ve been discriminated against? Here’s what’s covered by the Charter of Rights and Liberties:
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender
- Pregnancy
- Sexual orientation
- Familial situation
- Age
- Religion
- Political beliefs
- Language
- Ability
- Socio-economic standing (though a landlord can make sure you can afford rent, they cannot discriminate based on your source of revenue.)
What can I do if I’m being discriminated against? Is it even worth it to bother complaining?
Yes! It’s always worth it to know and exercise your rights. You can file complaints through the Commission des droits de la personne et de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) at their 1-800-361-6477 number. Make sure to have:
- A copy of the landlord’s advertisement (screenshot, photo, newspaper clipping, etc.)
- Copy of any forms you’ve filled out, emails, and/or texts showing the landlord’s refusal.
- Date and time of the phone call and/or in-person visit.
- Landlord’s name and contact information.
- If possible, proof that the unit is still available (ad, witness, texts/calls from a friend who was offered a visit, etc.)
The CDPDJ will advocate on your behalf within a 48 hour delay by contacting the landlord and reminding them of their obligations under the Charter. This works for most, though others may have to go through a more detailed complaint process that involves an investigation.
Source: Comité logement Ville-Marie
Transferring your lease.
Did you know you can assign your lease to someone else? That means the next tenant will be paying the same rent you did. You must notify your landlord of your intention to assign your lease in writing, and they are not allowed to refuse the assignment without a serious reason. If you think your landlord refused a lease assignment based through discrimination, refer to the previous section. For more information go to https://www.tal.gouv.qc.ca/en/assignment-of-a-lease-or-subleasing
Always check how much the previous tenant paid in rent.
According to the law, landlords must disclose how much the previous tenant paid per month in Section G of a lease. Often landlords omit this information and tenants have no way of verifying if it’s accurate. Providing the next tenant with a copy of your lease, either in person or by mail, is an act of solidarity and keeps prices in check.
How can I avoid abusive rent hikes?
Once you have your new lease in hand, check Section G. If the landlord is charging you more than what is listed in Section G, you have 10 days after signing to demand a price revision. If the landlord failed to indicate the previous rent price or fudged the information, you have up to two months to demand a revision.
Source: Comité logement Ville-Marie
How do I refuse a rent hike?
Landlords are only allowed to hike your rent by a small percentage each year based on major renovations and taxes. Your landlord should provide you with all necessary documents proving that the rent hike is justified.
The rent hike should be in writing following the Regie du logement’s model. After receiving the document, you have one month to print out the refusal form on the Regie’s website, fill out your information and response, and send it to your landlord. If you and your landlord can’t agree on a price, they have one month to open a file with the Regie who will then call you to a hearing and set a fair price.
What can Face a Face do for me?
Face a Face Montreal offers some services to find housing. For those lacking internet access, we can conduct housing searches online and provide a list of phone numbers to contact. Under special circumstances, we can also accompany clients to their visits. We offer referrals to shelters and social housing.
