Montrealers Fight For the Right to Continue Lease Transfers

Despite thousands taking to the streets this summer to protest Bill 31 – a provincial law that seeks to end lease transfers – many are still taking to the streets to oppose this bill that has not been thrown out.

Montreal organization Front de lutte pour un immobilier populaire mobilizes weekly protests outside of metro stations in Montreal to call an end to Bill 31. Lease transfers are a useful tool in maintaining affordable rents. 

Rents are continuing to increase in Montreal. In October alone, the average rent price for an unfurnished, one-bedroom apartment increased by 4.83 per cent in Downtown Montreal, according to rental platform liv.rent.

The Quebec Government proposed Bill 31 this past summer, which would allow landlords to refuse lease transfers. This bill was proposed by the Minister of Housing France-Élaine Duranceau in June. 

Duranceau said if tenants want to utilise lease transfers, they should invest in property themselves. She went on to say that tenants have been misusing lease transfers for their benefit. Since stating these comments, Duranceau has apologized.

Bill 31 also prevents evictions by placing the burden of proof on landlords. If tenants don't respond to an eviction notice, it is to be assumed the tenant has refused the eviction. The landlord will then have to take this situation to the housing tribunal. At this time, if a tenant doesn't respond to an eviction notice it is assumed they have accepted the eviction.

Last month, the provincial government completed hearings over Bill 31. Many groups that attended the consultations spoke out against this bill, stating that it would further worsen the housing crisis.