In Quebec, particularly in Montreal, recent news reports highlight a significant crackdown on Airbnb and other short-term rental properties. As of January 2025, Montreal implemented some of the toughest regulations on short-term rentals globally. The city now restricts Airbnb rentals to primary residences and only allows them between June 10 and September 10, effectively banning most short-term rentals outside this summer window. This move aims to address the housing crisis by returning thousands of units to the long-term rental market, as more than half of the city’s roughly 4,000 short-term rental units were illegal. Fines for non-compliance are steep: $1,000 per night for individuals and $2,000 per night for businesses. The city has also increased its inspection team from three to seven to enforce these rules.
The regulations stem from ongoing concerns that short-term rentals exacerbate Quebec’s housing shortage, with a 2019 study estimating that Airbnb removed 31,000 units from Canada’s long-term rental market. A tragic 2023 fire in Old Montreal, which killed seven people in a building with illegal Airbnb units, further spurred action. Posts on X from May 12, 2025, reflect public sentiment, noting Montreal’s measures as among the strictest worldwide, driven by fraud on platforms like Airbnb and the chronic housing crunch. Some X users expressed hope that other cities would follow suit.
Additionally, Quebec’s provincial government has enforced stricter rules since 2023 under Bill 25, requiring platforms like Airbnb to verify that listings have valid registration numbers and certificates issued by the Corporation de l’industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ). Non-compliant listings face fines of up to $100,000 per posting, and platforms must designate a Quebec-based representative to ensure compliance. These measures aim to curb illegal rentals and ease pressure on the housing market, though critics argue they may not fully resolve affordability issues, as some units may remain too expensive for low-income tenants..
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