A recent survey conducted by Léger revealed that one out of every five tenants in Quebec faced challenges in paying their rent within the last year. This issue has impacted over 700,000 individuals across the province, as highlighted by the organization Vivre en Ville, which has been monitoring this trend for the third consecutive year.
Specifically, within the age group of 35 to 54, the percentage of individuals reporting difficulty in rent payments increases to 31 percent. The survey also indicates that more than 10 percent of tenants have encountered this financial strain on multiple occasions.
Christian Savard, the executive director of Vivre en Ville, emphasized the severity of these findings, labeling the situation as a social emergency that is significantly affecting Quebec residents.
The study, based on responses from over 5,500 Quebec tenants between late August and mid-September, notes a significant rise in average rent exceeding $150 per month since 2023, equating to an additional financial burden of $800 annually.
Adam Mongrain, housing director at Vivre en Ville, pointed out that the cumulative increase of $1,800 in rent costs since 2023 is equivalent to two extra months of rent for tenants. These revelations come shortly after the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) announced a 3.1 percent base rate for rent increases applicable to lease renewals commencing between April 2, 2026, and April 1, 2027, with notice given on or after January 1, 2026.
