First apartment in Quebec — budget, steps, mistakes to avoid

First apartment = first freedom + first shocks. The budget you Excel'd rarely looks like the reality of the first month. This guide anticipates everything no one tells you.

Realistic budget — beyond rent

The 30 % rule

Your rent (heating and hot water included) shouldn't exceed 30 % of your net monthly income. Example: if you earn $2,500 net/month, target $750 max rent. In Montreal, that's typically a studio, a room in a shared apartment, or a 1-bedroom in outer neighbourhoods.

Real monthly expenses (beyond rent)

Item	Typical amount	Notes
Hydro-Québec (heating)	$50-180	Depends on insulation and winter
Internet	$45-80	Roommate = split
Cellphone	$35-70	Student plans ~$30
Tenant insurance	$15-30	Often forgotten
Groceries (1 person)	$300-450	Home cooking vs ready meals
Transit (STM monthly)	$99	$62 student 18-25
Going out / leisure	$100-300	Set your limit
Emergency / savings	$100-200	You'll need it

Startup costs (one-time)

• 📦 First month's rent at signing (often $800-1,800)
• 🚚 Moving: $200-1,500 (DIY vs movers, see July 1 guide)
• 🛋️ Furniture and appliances: $1,000-5,000 (or $200-800 with Marketplace, Kijiji)
• 🍳 Dishes, utensils, pots: $200-400
• 🧹 Cleaning supplies: $100-150 to start
• 💡 Lamps and decoration: $100-300
• 💼 Service activations: Hydro (free online), Internet (sometimes $50 install), insurance (1st month)

Typical startup total: $2,000 to $7,000 depending on level. Save at least 3 months of salary before your first apartment (safety net).

Timing: when to start searching?

• 📅 3 months before your desired move-in = ideal
• 📅 2 months before = normal window
• 📅 1 month before = stress and compromises
• 📅 2 weeks before = panic, high prices

⚠️ If you're searching for July 1, start in March-April (see July 1 guide).

5 steps procedure

Step 1 — Define your criteria

• 📍 Neighbourhood(s): see our neighbourhood guide
• 📐 Size: studio, 1-bdrm, 2-bdrm, 3-bdrm
• 💰 Max budget
• 📅 Move-in date
• 🐾 Pets? Furnished? Parking?

Step 2 — Search and alerts

• 📱 Set alerts on Coloka, Centris, Kijiji
• 🗺️ Visualize on interactive map
• 👥 Join neighbourhood Facebook groups
• 👁️ Beware of too-good listings (see anti-scam guide)

Step 3 — Prepare your tenant file

Strong file = quick callback for viewing. Documents to prepare:

• 📄 ID (license or passport)
• 💼 Employer letter (position, duration, salary) — recent
• 📊 3 latest pay stubs
• 📝 Recent tax notice (if needed)
• 🏠 Previous landlord reference (short letter or phone)
• 👤 Personal reference (employer, professor)
• 💳 Credit-check consent (Equifax/TransUnion form)

⚠️ Never give your social insurance number (SIN) or a blank cheque. The landlord can run a credit check with your written consent, without direct SIN.

Step 4 — Viewing and inspection

Use our viewing checklist with 50 points. Check heating, plumbing, neighbours, light. Ask the 15 questions to the landlord.

Step 5 — Signing and inspection

• 📜 Official TAL lease only (not a homemade document)
• ✏️ Read each clause, especially F (building < 5 years = no rent increase protection)
• 📷 Do the move-in inspection with photos
• 💰 First month paid at signing (never before viewing)
• 🔑 Get 2-3 sets of keys

First-month essential kit

🛏️ Bedroom

• Mattress + box spring (buy new, rest can be second-hand)
• Bedding: sheets, pillowcases, duvet, pillows (2)
• Bedside lamp

🛋️ Living room

• Sofa (Marketplace from $100)
• Coffee table
• Side lamp
• TV + stand (optional)

🍽️ Kitchen

• Dishes for 4 (plates, bowls, glasses)
• Utensils (set 16 pcs Costco/Walmart $30)
• Pots: 1 large, 1 medium, 1 pan
• Kitchen knives (set of 4)
• Kettle / coffee maker
• Toaster
• Microwave (if not provided)
• Storage containers (Tupperware)

🛁 Bathroom

• Towels (2 large + 2 hand)
• Shower curtain + mat
• Toilet brush + plunger
• Shelving/storage

🧹 Cleaning

• Vacuum (Walmart $60)
• Broom + dustpan
• Mop / floor cleaner
• Products: multi-surface cleaner, detergent, dishwasher, disinfectant
• Trash bags + outdoor brooms

🛠️ Basic tools

• Phillips + flat screwdriver
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Electrical tape
• Power strips + extension cords
• Spare bulbs

7 common first-tenant mistakes

1. 🚩 Underestimating Hydro bills in winter — a poorly insulated 2-bdrm can hit $250/month in January
2. 🚩 Forgetting tenant insurance ($10-20/month) — without it, your stuff destroyed in a fire or water damage is your loss
3. 🚩 Signing without reading the lease — clause F, duration, penalties, pets
4. 🚩 Buying new too fast — Marketplace, Kijiji save 70 %
5. 🚩 Skipping move-in inspection — risk of unfair retention at move-out
6. 🚩 Giving your SIN to landlord — illegal except in exceptional cases
7. 🚩 Paying a security deposit — illegal in Quebec, you only owe the first month

Bonus: financial aid and deductions

• 💰 Quebec Shelter Allowance: if income < certain thresholds, up to $170/month
• 💰 Solidarity tax credit: $200-1,000/year based on income and housing
• 💰 Moving expenses: deductible if you move 40 km closer to work
• 💰 Student loans and grants: housing aid for students (AFE)

How Coloka helps with your first apartment

• ✅ Transparent listings with real prices, charges clearly shown
• ✅ Precise filters by budget, size, neighbourhood, pets, furnished
• ✅ Tenant profile: your file ready to send in one click
• ✅ Document templates: TAL lease, inspection, references
• ✅ Mandatory ID verification for posters
• ✅ Roommate section if you want to share costs

Useful resources

• TAL — official lease + rights/duties
• Student Financial Assistance — grants
• Hydro-Québec — open account
• Complete tenant's guide to Quebec
• Montreal neighbourhoods
• Apartment viewing checklist

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Final tip: don't spend all your furniture budget in the first month. Live 2-4 weeks with bare minimum to understand what you really need. You'll avoid impulse buys that end up in storage.

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