Strict regulations for holiday rentals in Quebec (Autumn 2026): Why hosts are focusing on the long term

Are you a host in Quebec and used to renting out a room in your home for short stays? Since autumn 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 extra income into a real administrative headache. At Roomlala, we support thousands of hosts every day. We are observing a major trend: more and more hosts are moving away from seasonal rentals to focus on medium- and long-term rentals. But why such a shift? In this article, we explain the new legislation in force, the financial risks involved, and, most importantly, why renting out your room for more than 31 days is now the safest, most profitable, and most peaceful solution.

Read also: 2026 Council Tax surcharge: Renting out a room long-term to offset your 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 the Quebec tourist rental regulations in autumn 2026

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

The 2026 Quebec accommodation law: tougher registration conditions

The new 2026 Quebec accommodation law has introduced much stricter criteria to limit the proliferation of short-term rentals, particularly in high-demand urban areas like Montreal or Quebec City. From now on, for any annual renewal request or new registration with the CITQ, documentation requirements have doubled. Simply declaring on your honour is no longer enough. The authorities require at least two recent proofs of primary residence (such as a Revenu Québec notice of assessment, a 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 requires you to provide the written and explicit consent of the building owner or the condominium syndicate. This measure is intended to make all parties accountable, but it is blocking many well-meaning hosts whose syndicates systematically refuse tourist activity. At Roomlala, we receive testimonies every week from members who are being refused their CITQ renewal because of 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. CITQ fines are now extremely deterrent. For an individual, penalties for operating tourist accommodation without a valid certificate, or for failing to display the registration number, vary between $2,500 and $25,000 per offence.

And inspectors are not sitting idle: for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, more than $3.6 million in fines were imposed on offenders across the province. Let's take a concrete example: a host in Trois-Rivières was recently fined $5,000 simply because their CITQ number had been expired for two months and they continued to accept guests for weekends. Digital platforms are also required to remove non-compliant listings or face even heavier fines, reaching up to $100,000. It is clearly no longer worth the risk for individuals just looking to monetise an empty 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 rentals the best Airbnb Quebec alternative on the current market. This strategic shift offers multiple benefits to hosts.

Total exemption from administrative and tax burdens

As soon as you rent your room or home 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. This is a huge relief for those who dread the paperwork.

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

Safety regarding municipal and condominium regulations

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

Similarly, the majority of condominium declarations now formally prohibit short-term rentals to preserve the peace of residents. By opting for long-term rental, you legally bypass these bans. Renting a room to a student for a semester falls under normal residential use, permitted by municipalities and generally tolerated by condominium syndicates, as it does not cause nuisances linked to a constant turnover of guests. You regain peace of mind and good relations with your neighbours.

Long-term room rental Canada: a growing and highly profitable market

While short-term rentals are attractive due to high nightly rates, long-term room rental Canada often proves more profitable over the year when you take hidden costs into account. Managing a seasonal rental takes a huge amount of time: cleaning between each stay, laundry, managing key handovers, answering messages at all hours... By renting for long 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 durations of 4 to 9 months (autumn and winter terms).
• Young professionals and temporary workers: Many professionals on assignment, nurses in regions, or construction workers need a comfortable place to stay for a few months.
• Newcomers: Immigrants often need transitional housing for several months while they settle in permanently.

Take the case of Sylvie, a Roomlala host in Sherbrooke. In the past, she rented her basement room to passing tourists. Between the cleaning and the slow winter periods, 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 no longer has any cleaning to do, and she avoided the $2,500 fine that was looming 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 implies a significant change in legal framework that must be mastered. At Roomlala, we give you the keys to successfully complete this transition safely and with maximum peace of mind.

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

The main point of caution when switching to stays of more than 31 days is the change of jurisdiction. Your rental no longer falls under the general civil code for hospitality, but 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 lease renewal for standard leases.

It is therefore imperative to sign a lease from the Régie du logement, even for a room, and to clearly define the terms (fixed duration, inclusion of utilities, house rules). If you rent a room in your primary residence (and you share the kitchen and bathroom), some TAL rules are relaxed, but caution is still required. It is crucial to carefully select your tenant, as they will share your daily life for several months.

Roomlala's support for a peaceful rental experience

This is where our platform makes all the difference. Roomlala is specially designed for connecting hosts and tenants for medium- and long-term rentals. We allow you to publish your listing for free and detail your house rules (times, 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, to discuss your respective expectations during a call or visit, and to draw up a clear contract. By banking on the long term via Roomlala, you transform a legal constraint (the 2026 Quebec accommodation law) into a fantastic opportunity to create human connections while securing a regular income, without the stress of CITQ fines.