COVID-19: Questions and answers about moving

Q. I purchased a new home that will not be ready on the expected date because construction companies had to stop their operations. Is there assistance for finding a place to stay and temporarily storing furniture?

A. Some organizations, such as the APCHQ and SQH, have agreements with storage companies and hotel associations that can offer temporary housing and storage at a preferential rate. Learn more (in French)

Moreover, the government of Québec announced a financial support initiative to help households whose project to move in to their main residence, including rental units, has been postponed due to COVID-19. This support can reach $2,000 per month for a maximum period of two months for temporary housing costs. A maximum amount of $1,000 is also granted for storage and moving fees. Find out more

Q. I am moving, but the landlord has informed me that the current tenant has not left the premises on the expected date. What recourse do I have?

A. There are a few options available to you

• Ask for damages and interest

You can ask the landlord for damages/interest to cover, for example, the costs of storing your goods, temporary lodging, moving fees, etc. Keep all receipts to support your claim.

• Ask for the lease to be terminated

You can ask for the lease to be terminated (cancelled) and take steps to find someplace else to live. It is very important that you keep written proof of all exchanges with the landlord. If you choose this option, you can also ask the landlord for damages/interest. It may however be difficult to find a new dwelling in Montréal at this time, given the health crisis and the scarcity of vacant units.

For more information, contact the Tribunal administratif du logement directly at 514 873-2245.

Moreover, the government of Québec announced a financial support initiative to help households whose project to move in to their main residence, including rental units, has been postponed due to COVID-19. This support can reach $2,000 per month for a maximum period of two months for temporary housing costs. A maximum amount of $1,000 is also granted for storage and moving fees. Find out more

Q. How can you sign a lease while following prevention and hygiene measures?

A. You can sign a lease without meeting in person. Find out how

Q. I terminated my current lease but I have not found a new place to live. Do I have the right to reverse my decision?  

A. If your current home has not been leased to someone else, you can ask the landlord to sign a new lease.  

If the landlord will not sign a new lease, you must leave the premises at the end of the lease and remove all your personal belongings.

Q. My landlord wants to show my apartment to potential tenants, but I am afraid of contamination. Do I have the right to refuse visits? 

A. According to the Tribunal administratif du logement, once tenants advise the landlord that they are terminating their lease, they cannot refuse access to their dwelling. Landlords must comply with their obligations about the usual visiting hours and advance notice of visits. It is always desirable for both parties to agree on the terms of visits. Learn more

Due to the pandemic, however, the government recommends that landlords limit in-person visits as much as possible, and instead, use photos and virtual tours to show the premises to prospective tenants. 

If in-person visits take place, all parties must take all hygiene measures to limit the spread of the virus. 

Q. How can I show prospective tenants a dwelling for rent in compliance with prevention and hygiene measures?

1. It is recommended that you use photos and virtual tours to show the premises to prospective tenants and limit in-person showings as much as possible. Take the time to talk to prospective tenants and answer their questions in order to retain only those who are truly interested.   

If an in-person visit is necessary, it must be as short as possible. Here are the precautions you must take to limit the spread of the virus.

Before the visit

Ask prospective tenants if they:

• have symptoms such as fever or a cough
• are infected with COVID-19
• have been in close contact with a person that has COVID-19 over the past 14 days
• have travelled abroad over the past 14 days

Only people who answer “no” to all questions can tour the dwelling. 

During the visit

Admit only one person to the dwelling at a time.

All people who enter the dwelling must: 

• Wash their hands or apply hand sanitizer 
• Keep a two-metre distance from the person touring the apartment, or have all parties wear masks
• Comply with respiratory etiquette (cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow)
• Not touch items or surfaces in the dwelling

After the visit:

• Wash your hands
• Disinfect the knobs and handles of all doors in the dwelling

Q. My tenant has refused visits to the apartment. What recourse do I have?

A. If your current tenant has refused you access to the dwelling, you can ask the Tribunal administratif du logement to issue an order

If there is a serious conflict, the Tribunal administratif du logement can order access to the dwelling or set conditions.

For more information, contact the Tribunal administratif du logement directly at 514-873-2245.

Q. How can I avoid spreading the coronavirus during my move?

A. During the pandemic, we recommend you not ask neighbours or friends to help you move. Instead, use a moving company that can show that they are taking all necessary prevention measures.

If this is not possible, make sure that only the barest minimum of people are participating in the move. Ask each participant to follow these basic hygiene measures: 

•  Wash their hands or apply hand sanitizer. 

• Keep a two-metre distance from other people, or have all parties wear masks.
• Comply with respiratory etiquette (cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow).

During the move

• If you are using a vehicle, clean the most frequently used surfaces, such as the steering wheel and door handles. 
• Wrap up as many of your belongings as you can, including clothing, pillows, etc. 

Once you arrive in your new home

• Clean all surfaces that are frequent touched (light switches, door knobs and handles, stair rails, faucets, etc.).
• During the first 24 hours, only unpack boxes that contain perishable or essential items. 
• Wash your hands before and after you unpack each box and when you recycle boxes.

Q. What prevention measures must movers take to avoid spreading the virus? 

A. See these recommendations (in French)  from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec.

Q. Given the COVID-19 situation, I am unable to pay my rent. What can I do? Are there any support programs for such situations?

A. The government of Québec will offer interest-free loans of up to $1,500 to tenants who lack the cash flow required to pay all or part of their rent for the months of May and June, 2020. This financial support will be paid directly to the landlord. To be eligible, you must have received or have been deemed eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or for employment insurance benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Find out more

Do you have any other questions? Here are some resources that you may find useful:

311
Montréal’s front line: our team is there to inform you and direct you to various resources.

211
Homelessness and community resources

Tribunal administratif du logement
Questions on the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords
514 873-2245

COVID-19 Legal Assistance Clinic
Free legal advice
514 789-2755

Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ)
COVID-19: Good Health Practices to Follow During a Move

This document is available in 23 languages. Access other versions

Santé Montréal (Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal)  
Adapting to the measures to combat COVID-19 : Housing and tenant’s rights

This document is available in 17 languages. Access other versions