Short-Term & Sublets covers temporary housing on Montreal Daily, from a few weeks to a few months, posted directly by tenants subletting their place or landlords offering flexible terms. It’s built for internships, temporary work assignments, students home for the summer, or anyone not ready to commit to a full 12-month lease. No agency, no finder’s fee, just direct contact with the person offering the place, whoever they are.
What You’ll Find in Short-Term & Sublets
Expect sublets from tenants leaving town temporarily for work, school, or travel and wanting someone reliable to cover their unit and rent while they’re away, alongside listings from landlords specifically offering flexible, shorter-term arrangements. Furnished units are especially common in this category, since a sublet from an existing tenant usually comes with their furniture and belongings already in place. Durations vary widely, from a single summer month to a nine-month academic term, and locations span the whole city, with a noticeable concentration near universities in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and downtown Ville-Marie where student turnover is highest.
Always check whether a listing is a true sublet (someone else’s existing lease) or a short-term rental directly from an owner, since the rules and responsibilities differ between the two, and pricing structures can differ as well, with some sublets charging a flat monthly rate and others prorating based on the exact number of days. Roommate situations show up here too, where one person in a shared apartment is away temporarily and the remaining roommates are looking for someone to fill that single room for the interim rather than the whole unit.
Tips for Renters
- If subletting from a tenant, ask to see the original lease so you understand the term length, rent, and any restrictions you’d be agreeing to.
- Confirm the sublet has been properly authorized, since in Quebec a tenant generally needs the landlord’s consent to sublet, though it can’t be refused without a serious reason.
- Get the sublet agreement in writing, including the exact dates, rent, and what happens to any deposit or advance payment.
- Ask what’s included: furniture, utilities, and internet are often part of a sublet but should be confirmed rather than assumed.
- Clarify who to contact for repairs, the original tenant or the landlord directly, before you move in.
Subletting Rules in Quebec
Quebec law gives tenants a genuine right to sublet their unit, which is part of why sublets are such a normal, common part of the Montreal rental market. A tenant who wants to sublet must notify their landlord and get consent, but the landlord can only refuse for a serious reason, they can’t simply say no without cause. This matters for anyone taking over a sublet: it means the arrangement should be properly documented and ideally acknowledged by the landlord, not just a private handshake deal between tenants.
The original tenant generally remains responsible to the landlord for the unit even during a sublet, so there’s a layer of trust involved on both sides. If you’re the one subletting your place out, be upfront with your landlord early rather than trying to arrange it quietly, since a properly authorized sublet protects everyone involved if a problem comes up partway through. It’s also worth clarifying in advance what happens to the arrangement if the original tenant needs to return earlier than planned, since that possibility is easy to overlook when a sublet is first being set up.
Payment method is worth agreeing on early too: some subletting tenants ask for the full period upfront, while others prefer monthly payments matching their own rent due date, and either can work as long as it’s written down clearly beforehand. Take a few photos of the unit’s condition together on move-in day as well, since a short-term arrangement can otherwise end with a disagreement over damage that neither side can fully substantiate. Exchange emergency contact details before the arrangement begins too, since a short-term stay is exactly the kind of situation where you don’t want to be scrambling to reach someone if an issue with the unit comes up unexpectedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need a place for a few months or have your unit to sublet? Post or search for free on Montreal Daily and connect directly, no agency fees attached.