This decision aims to bring back to the local rental market at least 2000 units currently offered illegally to tourists.

The City estimates that 4000 units are withdrawn from the Montreal rental market to be listed on tourist rental websites, while only 2142 short-term rental permits have been issued by the Quebec Tourism Industry Corporation (CITQ) in the metropolis.

To ensure the enforcement of this new regulation, the City plans to double the number of inspectors tasked with tracking illegal housing and impose fines of $1000 to $2000 per day for illegal rentals.

Simply listing a property on Airbnb outside of the authorized period will be subject to a fine.

Short-term rental housing offered in commercial areas, with the required municipal permit, will be allowed to remain on the market year-round, as is currently the case.

However, the short-term rental of a primary residence will be strictly limited to the high tourist season. Benoit Dorais, mayor of the Southwest borough and responsible for housing on the City’s executive committee, specified that the Tourist Accommodation Act, which since 2023 allows the short-term rental of a primary residence with a provincial permit, is not suitable for Montreal’s reality.

Real estate developers who rent out housing for short-term without holding a commercial permit will also be subject to increased scrutiny.

This new regulation is a direct response to the housing crisis plaguing Montreal.

By limiting Airbnb activities to the three summer months, the city hopes to ease the work of the municipal squad in charge of sanctioning negligent owners and alleviate the pressure on the rental market intended for Montreal residents.