Strict regulations on tourist rentals in Quebec (Autumn 2026): Why hosts are focusing on long-term stays

Are you a host in Quebec who is used to renting out a room in your home for short stays? Since the autumn of 2026, you have likely noticed that the tide has turned. Faced with the housing crisis, the provincial government has decided to tighten the screws.

The Quebec tourist rental regulations have become particularly strict, turning what was once an easy source of additional income into a genuine administrative headache. At Roomlala, we support thousands of hosts every day. We are witnessing a major shift: more and more hosts are moving away from seasonal rentals to focus on medium- and long-term rentals. But why such a turnaround? In this article, we break down the new legislation in force, the financial risks involved, and, above all, why renting out your room for more than 31 days is now the safest, most profitable, and most peaceful solution.

See also: 2026 Council tax surcharge: Rent out a room long-term to offset your housing costs, CIN regulations in Italy: Why long-term room rentals are appealing to hosts in late 2026 and 2027 Finance Bill and furnished rentals: What hosts need to know this autumn

Understanding Quebec tourist rental regulations in autumn 2026

In Quebec, the law is clear: any rental of accommodation for a duration of 31 days or less is considered tourist accommodation. This type of short-term rental requires mandatory registration with a certificate issued by the Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ). This registration number must also be displayed in a visible manner on all online booking platforms. However, since 1 September 2026, obtaining or renewing this precious permit has become an uphill battle for hosts.

Quebec accommodation law 2026: tougher registration conditions

The new Quebec accommodation law 2026 has introduced much stricter criteria to limit the proliferation of short-term rentals, particularly in dense urban areas like Montreal or Quebec City. From now on, for any annual renewal or new registration request with the CITQ, the documentation requirements have doubled. It is no longer enough to declare on your honour. Authorities now require at least two recent proofs of primary residence (such as a Revenu Québec notice of assessment, an Hydro-Québec bill, or a valid driver's licence at that address).

But that is not all. If you are a tenant or co-owner, the law now mandates that you provide written and explicit consent from the building owner or the co-ownership syndicate. This measure aims to hold all parties accountable, but it is blocking many well-intentioned hosts whose syndicates systematically refuse tourist activities. At Roomlala, we receive testimonies every week from members who are being refused their CITQ renewal due to this new requirement.

The spectre of CITQ fines: a major financial risk

Faced with these new constraints, some might be tempted to rent under the radar. This is a very bad idea. The government has tasked Revenu Québec with relentlessly tracking down illegal listings. The CITQ fines are now extremely deterrent. For an individual, penalties for operating a tourist accommodation without a valid certificate, or for not displaying the registration number, vary between $2,500 and $25,000 per offence.

And the inspectors are not idle: for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, over $3.6 million in fines were imposed on offenders across the province. Let's take a concrete example: a host in Trois-Rivières recently received a $5,000 fine simply because his CITQ number had been expired for two months and he continued to accept guests for weekends. Digital platforms are also required to remove non-compliant listings or face even heavier fines of up to $100,000. It is clearly no longer worth the risk for individuals just looking to generate income from an unoccupied room.

Why renting for more than 31 days is the best Airbnb Quebec alternative

Fortunately, there is a perfectly legal and much less restrictive solution: renting for more than 31 consecutive days. By exceeding this one-month threshold, you automatically fall outside the definition of tourist accommodation. This is what makes medium- and long-term rental the best Airbnb Quebec alternative on the current market. This strategic pivot offers multiple advantages to hosts.

Total exemption from administrative and tax burdens

As soon as you rent your room or accommodation for 32 days or more to the same person, you no longer have any obligations towards the CITQ. You do not need to apply for a certificate, pay annual registration fees, or prove your primary residence. It is an immense relief for those who dread paperwork.

Furthermore, regarding taxes, residential rentals of more than one month are exempt from the 3.5% tourist tax, as well as GST and QST in most cases. This significantly simplifies your accounting. No more tedious monthly or quarterly returns to Revenu Québec to remit collected taxes. You collect your net rent and simply declare it as regular property income during your annual tax return. This is an invaluable saving of time and energy for hosts.

Security regarding municipal and co-ownership regulations

Another crucial point of vigilance concerns local regulations. Even if you manage to obtain your CITQ certificate, it does not guarantee your right to rent on a short-term basis. Many Quebec municipalities have changed their zoning to prohibit tourist accommodation in certain residential areas to protect the permanent housing stock.

Similarly, the majority of co-ownership declarations now formally prohibit short-term rentals to preserve the peace of residents. By opting for long-term rental, you legally bypass these prohibitions. Renting a room to a student for a semester is considered a normal residential use, authorised by municipalities and generally tolerated by co-ownership syndicates, as it does not cause the nuisances associated with an incessant rotation of guests. You thus regain peace of mind and good relations with your neighbours.

Long-term room rental Canada: a rapidly expanding and very profitable market

While short-term rentals are attractive for their high nightly rates, long-term room rental Canada often proves more profitable over the year when you account for hidden costs. Managing a seasonal rental takes a huge amount of time: cleaning between each stay, laundry, key handovers, responding to messages at all hours... By renting for longer periods, you reduce these management costs to zero.

But who are these long-term tenants? The demand is colossal in Quebec. You can target:

• Local and international students: With the start of the university year, thousands of students look for furnished rooms for 4 to 9 months (fall and winter terms).
• Young professionals and temporary workers: Many professionals on assignment, regional nurses, or construction workers need a comfortable home base for a few months.
• Newcomers: Immigrants often need transitional housing for several months while they get settled permanently.

Take the case of Sylvie, a Roomlala host in Sherbrooke. She used to rent her basement room to passing tourists. Between the cleaning and the slow winter months, she earned about $600 net per month while spending 10 hours a week on it. Today, she rents that same room to a student from the University of Sherbrooke for $550 per month on an 8-month lease. She earns a little less on paper, but her occupancy rate is 100%, she has no more cleaning to do, and she has avoided the $2,500 fine that was looming over her because her syndicate had just banned short-term rentals. Financial stability is the watchword of this strategy.

How to succeed in your transition to long-term rental with Roomlala

Moving from tourist rental to residential rental involves a significant change in the legal framework that must be well understood. At Roomlala, we give you the keys to successfully complete this transition with complete security and maximum peace of mind.

Understanding the jurisdiction of the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL)

The main point of vigilance when switching to stays of more than 31 days is the change in jurisdiction. Your rental no longer falls under the general civil code for hospitality, but comes under the legislation governing residential leases, managed by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). This means that the tenant acquires residential rights, notably the right to maintain occupancy for classic leases.

It is therefore imperative to sign a standard lease agreement, even for a room, and to clearly define the terms (fixed duration, inclusion of charges, rules of communal living). If you are renting a room in your primary residence (and you share the kitchen and bathroom), some TAL rules are more flexible, but caution is still required. It is crucial to carefully select your tenant, as they will share your daily life for several months.

Roomlala support for a peaceful rental

This is where our platform truly makes sense. Roomlala is specifically designed for connecting hosts and tenants for medium- and long-term stays. We allow you to post your listing for free and detail your house rules (hours, guests, use of the kitchen). Our secure messaging system allows you to exchange with candidates, verify their profile, their reasons for staying, and their guarantees before accepting any booking.

Furthermore, by using our platform for the payment of the first month's rent, you are ensured of the initial solvency of your tenant. We advise you to always ask for references, discuss your respective expectations during a call or visit, and write a clear contract. By focusing on the long term via Roomlala, you turn a legal constraint (the Quebec accommodation law 2026) into a great opportunity to create human connection while securing regular income, without the stress of CITQ fines.