After several years of steep increases, Montreal renters are finally seeing a little breathing room. Fresh listing data for October 2026 shows that average asking rents for one-bedroom apartments are lower than they were a year ago, and the gap has been visible every single month of 2026. At the same time, Quebec’s new rent-increase method is now in force, and the next lease renewal season is only a few months away. Here is what the latest numbers say and how to use them if you are searching for an apartment or planning to stay put.
Montreal asking rents in October 2026: the key figures
According to the October 2026 Montreal rent report published by the listing platform liv.rent, the average asking rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom unit was $1,611 per month. That is down 0.57% from September and $36 (2.2%) lower than in October 2025, when the average stood at $1,647. Furnished one-bedrooms averaged $1,643, down $65 (3.8%) year over year.
- Unfurnished one-bedroom range from January to October 2026: $1,586 to $1,636, below the same month of 2025 every time.
- The year-over-year gap was 6.2% in July and narrowed to 2.2% in October.
- Seven of the 10 neighbourhoods tracked were below their October 2025 level.
- The premium for a furnished unit was only $32 a month in October.
Keep in mind that these are asking rents on new listings, not what sitting tenants pay. For a broader picture of how prices have evolved, see our Montreal Rent Report.
Neighbourhood snapshot: where rents moved the most
The citywide average hides very different local stories. Downtown remained the most expensive area at $1,845 for an unfurnished one-bedroom, up 1.3% from last year, and it was the only neighbourhood where every unfurnished unit type increased. At the other end, Villeray-Parc-Extension was the most affordable at $1,387, even after a 4.68% monthly jump.
- Saint-Henri posted the largest annual increase, up 11.3% year over year.
- Westmount fell to $1,743 from $1,853 in September.
- Notre-Dame-de-Grâce/Côte-des-Neiges dropped 5.52% month over month, and Verdun slipped 3.77%.
- Saint-Laurent, NDG/Côte-des-Neiges and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve saw decreases across all unfurnished unit types.
If you are flexible on location, these swings matter. Browse current apartments for rent in Montreal and compare a few neighbourhoods side by side before committing.
Why rents are cooling: more supply, higher vacancy
The softening did not come out of nowhere. In its rental market report released in December 2025, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) measured Montreal’s vacancy rate at 2.9% in 2025, up from 2.1% the year before. The same report still showed average rent growth of 7.2% for existing units and a much bigger jump, about 17%, when a unit changed tenants. In its 2026 outlook, CMHC said it expected more rental supply and higher vacancy rates in Quebec this year. CMHC’s next annual rental market survey, based on October data, is normally released at the end of the year and will confirm whether vacancy kept rising in 2026.
Lease renewals: the 3.1% TAL guideline and the new method
For tenants already in place, what matters most is the renewal increase. Since January 1, 2026, Quebec uses a new calculation method. The Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) no longer publishes a recommended average increase. Instead, it publishes the three-year average of Quebec’s Consumer Price Index, set at 3.1% for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027 (4.5% the year before). The new method uses five criteria instead of twelve: the CPI average, changes in municipal and school taxes, changes in insurance premiums, the cost of an added service or accessory, and major work, where a maximum of 5% of the expenses can be added to the rent.
Key dates for a lease ending June 30, 2027
- For a 12-month lease, the landlord’s written notice must arrive three to six months before the end of the lease, so between January 1 and March 31, 2027.
- The tenant has one month to accept, refuse while staying, or announce departure. Silence counts as acceptance.
- If the tenant refuses, the landlord has one month to apply to the TAL; otherwise the lease renews on the same terms.
- Tenants in a building built (or converted) five years ago or less generally cannot refuse the increase if the lease clause is properly filled in.
The TAL offers an online calculation tool so both sides can check whether a proposed increase is reasonable.
What this means if you are apartment hunting this fall
Fall and winter are traditionally quieter months in Montreal, and with asking rents below last year’s levels, renters have a bit more leverage. A few practical moves:
- Compare several listings in the same neighbourhood and do not hesitate to ask whether heating, hot water or appliances are included.
- Prepare a complete file in advance; our guide to a winning rental application in Montreal explains what landlords may legally ask for.
- Check insulation, windows and heating before signing, as explained in renting an apartment in Montreal in winter.
- Need to leave early? A lease transfer or sublet can be easier when demand is steady.
- Run your numbers with a rent budget calculator on CalculatorOnline.ca before you commit.
For owners: pricing right in a softer market
Landlords listing a unit this season should price against current comparables rather than last year’s peak. A vacant month usually costs more than a modest rent adjustment. Owners who prefer to delegate tenant selection, renewals and TAL notices can turn to a Montreal property manager such as Kalfa. You can also publish your unit on Montreal.rent listings.
FAQ
Are rents going down in Montreal in 2026?
Asking rents on new listings are slightly lower than in 2025: the average unfurnished one-bedroom was $1,611 in October 2026, down 2.2% year over year. Rents for sitting tenants still rise at renewal.
What is the TAL rent increase for 2026?
The TAL’s reference is the three-year CPI average, 3.1% for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027. Taxes, insurance and major work can adjust the final figure.
When will the 2027 rent guideline be published?
The TAL usually publishes its figures in January. This year’s 3.1% reference was released on January 19, 2026, so the next one is expected in early 2027.