Before signing a lease, you should clearly set the terms with the landlord, such as the monthly rent, furnishings and appliances, and who pays what utility (electricity, hot water, etc.). You can ask to see the previous tenant’s lease. The lease is written in French unless both parties agree to the use of another language. English leases are available at the Régie du logement (RDL). In Québec, one-year leases are the norm, from July 1 to June 30. July 1 is considered moving day for most Quebecers, so if you need to rent a truck on this day, book it as soon as you can. If you want a shorter-term lease, you can try to work that out with the landlord but make sure it is written on the lease. You must give your landlord three months’ notice before the end of your lease, in writing, if you want to move out.

Similarly, the landlord must tell you of any changes to your lease, such as a rent increase, three to six months before it ends. You then have one month to reply. If you do not, your lease will automatically be renewed for another year, with the increases applied. You can either accept the changes and the lease is valid for another year, or you can refuse the changes and try to renegotiate. The RDL can help decide what is fair when you renegotiate if you and your landlord cannot agree.

In Québec, the size of most apartments includes a “1/2”, which refers to the bathroom. A “4 and 1/2” most often has two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom (see the vocabulary section for some helpful translations). Large appliances are not always included in the rent.

For all questions about tenant/landlord relations, call the Régie du logement at 418-643-2245 (press 2 for English) or visit their website at www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca/en/accueil/accueil.asp.

When you buy a house in this province, you will need a notary to prepare the legal papers. He or she will arrange the legal aspects of your mortgage with the bank of your choice. Upon buying a home, whether or not it is newly built, you will have to pay a one-time “welcome tax” to your municipality. This is a provincial law and it’s applicable to all municipalities. For a list of realtors who offer services in English, see the Business section of this guide.