MONTREAL’S NIGHTLIFE POLICY IS CHANGING
TAKE ACTION
Montreal's economic development and urban habitation commission have opened a public consultation on the city's nightlife policy project.
→ participate in the city’s official survey→ add your voice to the city’s official idea box
→ FURTHER READING
Montreal Gazette (2023). Is this the end of Montreal's celebrated culture scene?
Billboard (2023). As Montreal Venues Raise Concern About Noise Complaints, Changes Could Be Coming.
FANTOM (2023). Underground nightlife survey.
CTV News (2024). Montreal cuts funding to nightlife organization.
VibeLab (2023). Montreal Creative Footprint Report.
Resident Advisor (2023). Montreal may see 24-hour zones and venues in 2024.
MTL 24/24 (2022). Montréal 24 Hours: An Economic Report on the City‘s Sociocultural Nightlife.
THE
HOUSING
CRISIS
IS A
NIGHTLIFE
CRISIS
WHAT ARE LEASE TRANSFERS?
Lease transfers are one of the last defenses against the displacement of queer, trans, immigrant, BIPOC, and working-class communities—the heart of our city and our nightlife.
When moving out, many Montreal residents will choose to transfer their lease—instead of declining to renew— to prevent their landlord from arbitrarily raising rent on the incoming tenant.
Lease transfers help keep housing costs reasonable for everyone—not just those who rent. They discourage speculation in real estate by making it harder for landlords and investors to rely on rent increases in their perpetual race for higher profits.
Informal lease transfer networks also provide an essential alternative for those facing housing discrimination from biased landlords.
Lease transfers are also a way for us to look out for each other—they have been essential in preventing displacement of queer, BIPOC, immigrant, and working-class communities.
Even the threat of a lease transfer can put renters in a better position to compel their landlords to meet lease obligations and make essential repairs. They are one of the few actions at our disposal before resorting to disconnected tribunals to defend against exploitation and neglect.
→ info on how to transfer your lease here
WHY DOES QUEBEC NEED A RENT REGISTRY?
An official government rent registry would provide access to a unit’s rent history without having to appear before a housing tribunal.
While new tenants have the right to invoke section G of their lease—which compels landlords to disclose the lowest rent paid by the previous tenant in the year prior to the new lease—many are either unaware of their rights or may want to avoid jeopardizing their housing security.
Housing tribunal appearances are publicly logged, and future landlords may refuse to rent to you if they see you have invoked section G.
While landlords are not yet compelled to use it, there is a new non-governmental Rental Registry where tenants can enter their rent—an important act of solidarity with other tenants to help keep landlords in check and help preserve housing affordability across the city.
→ add your rent to the registry
→ learn more about your rights as a tenant
→ FURTHER READING
New Republic (2023). Want a Thriving Arts Scene? Build More Housing.
Mixmag (2023). How the cost of living crisis is impacting DJs and producers.
Cult MTL (2023). The CAQ is attacking artists by ending lease transfers, and artists need to step up.
The Star (2023). Loss of artist studio spaces for housing signals more than lack of affordability; it’s intentional displacement of people.