Tenants call for rent control, landlords call for end to lease transfers
Verdun residents took to the streets Sunday to protest rising rent prices — a move that comes as landlords ask the province to abolish lease transfers.
Gathered outside the Verdun metro station, protestors demanded rent control, which would cap the amount landlords can increase rent.
“What this would mean is that you could see what previous tenants were paying, and this would actually hold landlords accountable and protect tenants in tangible ways,” said Olivia Dumas of the Coalition of Housing and Tenant Associations Committees of Quebec (RCLALQ).
Some protestors say they were pushed out of the neighbourhood because of soaring prices.
“We want a city that is here to welcome everyone, not just people who are wealthy enough to pay $2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment,” one attendee told CTV News.
But as the cost-of-living increases and Montreal’s skyline fills with more new condo developments, landlords are pushing back.
Martin Messier, president of the Quebec Landlords Association (QLA), says the approved rent increases aren’t enough to keep up with demand.
“Let’s say I re-do a roof: I’d have to wait 50 years,” he said.
Lease transfers — when a tenant leaves their unit early and transfers their lease to someone else — are a longstanding point of contention between landlords and tenants in Montreal.
Messier says lease transfers must be abolished, as they can prevent the landlord from increasing rent between tenants.
“The law should protect the tenant while he’s there, but as soon as the tenant is leaving, we should be able to put back the rent to market value. We should be able to negotiate with the tenant the price of the rent, without possibility of contestation.”
On the flip side, Olivia Dumas says lease transfers don’t take rights away from landlords, and that they’re one of the few tools tenants have to curb rent increases.
“Ultimately, landlords tend to increase rent the most between tenants. It’s understandable that they would want to get rid of it because this is what would allow them to increase rents, unchecked, and without any form of control.”
CTV News reached out to the Housing Ministry for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Both sides of the debate are calling on the provincial government for help, and hope the issue will be front and centre ahead of the upcoming election.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.