The price of rents has exploded by 13.7% in Quebec in just one year, the largest increase in four years, according to data compiled by the Regrouping of housing committees and tenant associations of Quebec (RCLALQ).
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“For four years, we have been repeating that the soaring rents, far from being reduced, are accelerating everywhere in Quebec. This year, the trend is confirmed again: 2023 will show the worst rent increase on Kijiji in Quebec in four years”, denounces the RCLALQ in its report published today.
For four years now, the RCLALQ has been listing and analyzing thousands of advertisements published on this classifieds site in order to paint a picture of the situation. This year, between 1er February and May 31, 2023, the organization collected nearly 48,000 advertisements on Kijiji for long-term rental accommodation throughout Quebec.
The data showed that the price of the accommodation on offer has increased by 13.7% in just one year, says Cédric Dussault, co-spokesperson for the organization.
Cédric Dussault, co-spokesperson of the Regrouping of housing committees and tenant associations of Quebec (RCLALQ).
Photo Jeremy Bernier
Sharp rise
In Montreal, the average price of rents increased by 14%, according to data between 2022 and 2023. The gap increases to 21% if we compare the price of rents between 2021 and 2023, the report indicates.
In Quebec, rents have increased by 19% in one year and 25% in two years.
In the province, it is mainly the studios that have been affected by the meteoric rise, according to the RCLALQ.
“The studios [soit les 1 et demie ou les 2 et demie] are increasing very sharply and are offered at an average price of $1,118 per month, while our 2020 survey showed a rent of $770 per month for studios, an increase of 45% in four years”, it is indicated.
Archive photo, Didier Debusschère
Far from big cities
Other municipalities are also showing worrying increases, according to the RCLALQ.
This is particularly the case in Cowansville, where rents have increased by 44% in just one year, but also in Shawinigan (42%), Rimouski (26%) and Joliette (23%).
Last year, data from more than 51,000 listings compiled in the agency’s report showed an average increase of 9.1% in rents in the province between 2021 and 2022.
The most significant increases were observed more in the regions and suburbs than in Montreal (8%) or Quebec (6%). On the North Shore of Montreal, rent increases were around 19.6% and on the South Shore, 14%, indicates the report produced last year.