July 1 moving day in Quebec — the complete relocation guide

July 1 is a unique day in Quebec. Heritage of an old tradition (90 % of leases used to end on April 30, pushed to July 1 in 1973 to avoid disrupting children's school year), it's now a national moving day.

Result: movers booked solid, prices tripled, U-Haul reserved 6 months ahead, elevators overloaded, traffic jams across Montreal. This guide gives you the exact schedule to handle it without paying premium.

Full timeline: 90 days before July 1

📅 D-90 (early April) — Apartment search

• Set a realistic budget (rent ≤ 30 % net income)
• Target 2-3 neighbourhoods (see our neighbourhood guide)
• Set alerts on Coloka, Centris, Kijiji
• Prepare your tenant file (income, references)

📅 D-75 — Mover booking

Critical. Good movers are booked solid by late March. Get 3 quotes minimum. Average July 1 prices in Montreal:

• 2 movers + 16 ft truck: $120-180/h (vs $80-120 off-season)
• 3 movers + 24 ft truck: $180-260/h
• U-Haul 15 ft self-service: $200-400 (vs $80-150 off-season)
• 3 h minimum + fuel + optional insurance

⚠️ For a standard 2-bedroom, count 4-6 h of moving → real budget $700-1,500.

📅 D-60 (early May) — Viewing and signing

• Viewings with our complete checklist
• Verify the listing (anti-scam guide)
• Sign only on official TAL lease form
• First month's rent paid at signing

📅 D-45 — Notify services and agencies

Checklist (10 organizations):

• ☑️ Hydro-Québec: transfer or new account (free, online)
• ☑️ Internet/cable: Bell, Vidéotron, EBOX (book installation 4-6 weeks ahead)
• ☑️ Canada Post: mail forwarding ($20 / 4 months)
• ☑️ RAMQ: address change (online, free)
• ☑️ SAAQ: if you have a driver's license or car (free)
• ☑️ Banks and credit cards (online)
• ☑️ Employer and insurance company
• ☑️ School/daycare for kids if neighbourhood change
• ☑️ Family doctor and pharmacist
• ☑️ Revenu Québec / CRA (online via Mon dossier)

📅 D-30 — Logistics prep

• Buy or collect 20-30 boxes (LCBO and SAQ give theirs free)
• Marie Kondo: sell/give what you don't use (Marketplace, Kijiji)
• Reserve the elevator in your current AND new building
• Request days off for June 30 and July 1
• Subscribe to tenant insurance starting July 1

📅 D-15 — Packing

• Label each box (room + general content)
• Pack first what you don't use daily
• Keep a "first day" box: toilet paper, soap, toothbrush, sheets, coffee, dishes for 24 h
• Photograph plugged-in electronics (to re-plug them correctly)
• Disassemble furniture (except what movers will handle)

📅 D-7 — Final stretch

• Confirm by phone with your mover
• Empty fridge and freezer progressively
• Return bottle deposits
• Deep clean the current unit (move-out inspection)
• Photograph each empty room (proof of state)
• Prepare keys to return + forwarding address

📅 Day 0 (July 1)

• 🌡️ Drink lots of water, often 30 °C
• 🥪 Lunch and snacks prepared (restaurants are packed)
• 📷 Move-in inspection + photos of each room
• 🔑 Pick up new keys (often in afternoon)
• 📦 Unload priorities first: bed, fridge, bathroom
• 💰 Mover tips: $20-40 per mover for good service

DIY or movers? The real math

Option	Cost	Time	For who
DIY + friends (U-Haul)	$200-400	8-12 h	Studio / 1-bdrm, light furniture
Student crew	$400-700	5-7 h	1-2 bdrm moderately furnished
Pro movers	$800-2000	4-6 h	2-3 bdrm + fragile items
Full-service with packing	$1500-3500	2 days	Family, no time

Plan B: you haven't found a place

Still searching in June and July 1 is approaching? Don't panic:

1. Ask your current landlord to extend 1-2 months (often accepted)
2. Look for lease assignments with flexible dates (often June or August)
3. Temporary housing: Airbnb, hotel, sublet 1-2 months ($1500-2500)
4. Family / friends: 1-2 weeks max to preserve relationships
5. Housing committee: if truly stuck, some agencies have emergency housing
6. Storage unit: $100-300/month to store items if no immediate housing

Common mistakes to avoid

1. 🚩 Booking the mover too late (June = 3× price)
2. 🚩 Forgetting tenant insurance (starts day of signing)
3. 🚩 Not photographing the new unit before moving in
4. 🚩 Not cancelling Hydro on time (bills follow the previous tenant)
5. 🚩 Forgetting mail forwarding (lost important mail)
6. 🚩 Counting on friends without confirming 2 weeks ahead
7. 🚩 Buying too many new boxes when SAQ/LCBO give them free
8. 🚩 Skipping a checklist before signing keys handover

How Coloka makes your July 1 easier

• ✅ July 1 listings filterable by move-in date
• ✅ Lease assignment listings with flexible dates (often cheaper)
• ✅ Human moderation — less risk of signing for nothing
• ✅ Secure messaging with landlord without sharing your number
• ✅ Precise filters by neighbourhood, price, pets, furnished/unfurnished

Useful resources

• Hydro-Québec — account transfer
• Canada Post — mail forwarding
• Quebec address change service — one portal for 6 ministries
• Apartment viewing checklist
• First apartment — budget and steps

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Final tip: keep all your moving receipts. If you move closer to work (40 km minimum reduction), these expenses are tax deductible both federally and provincially.

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