Should You Renew or Move? A Quebec Renter's Decision Guide

The True Cost of Moving vs. Staying

Before deciding to move, calculate the full cost — not just the rent difference. Professional movers for a typical Montreal 4½ run $400–$800. Add packing supplies ($50–$150), a possible parking permit ($50), utility setup fees, address changes, and the inevitable "new apartment needs" (curtains, shelves, cleaning supplies). A realistic total is often $800–$1,500 or more for the move itself.

Now compare that to the annual cost of accepting a modest rent increase. If your landlord proposes $40 more per month, that's $480 per year — well below the cost of moving. Even a $100/month increase ($1,200/year) may break even once you factor in moving expenses, lost work time, and the stress premium. Moving makes financial sense only when the rent savings are significant and sustained.

Legal Deadlines You Can't Afford to Miss

Quebec's lease renewal system runs on strict deadlines. For a standard 12-month lease ending June 30, your landlord must send a notice of rent increase or lease modification three to six months before the end date. You then have one month from receiving that notice to respond. If you do nothing, the increase is deemed accepted.

If you want to leave, you must send a non-renewal notice within that same one-month response window. Missing it locks you in for another year. Mark these dates in your calendar the day you receive the landlord's notice. If you haven't received any notice from your landlord and the deadline passes, your lease simply renews at the same rent — which could be the best outcome if you're happy staying.

Lifestyle Factors Beyond the Numbers

Money isn't everything. Consider your commute — a new job, a new school, or a relationship change might make a different neighborhood more practical. Evaluate your current apartment's condition: is the landlord responsive to repairs? Are there ongoing pest issues, noise problems, or safety concerns that won't improve?

Also weigh the intangibles of your current spot. Do you love your neighbors, your local coffee shop, your walking route to the park? These things are hard to replicate. If your current place is "good enough" and the increase is reasonable, staying is often the smarter choice. But if you've outgrown the space, need a different layout, or the neighborhood no longer fits your life, a well-planned move is an investment in your daily happiness. Up & Out makes the physical move easy — so you can focus on the decision itself.