Tenant in Montreal successfully opposes substantial increase in rental fees

Rent Protest in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal: Tenants Take a Stand Against High Increases

In Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal, a group of tenants, led by Lior Maharjan, have taken a bold step to contest a significant rent increase. The first step, as suggested by Martin Messier, president of Quebec's landlords association, is to send an email or a registered letter to the Housing Tribunal (Tribunal administratif du logement).

Maharjan, who has been living in a St-Denis Street apartment for the past four years, has faced a steep rise in rent. Initially paying $1,275 a month for their four-and-a-half apartment, the new rent is now above $1500, making it unaffordable for Maharjan and her boyfriend.

The building's owner, Françoise Bertrand, has responded to the situation by stating that extensive work has been done on the building, including reinforcing the structure and installing new doors and windows. However, this hasn't stopped the rent from increasing significantly. In 2024, the tenants faced an 11.8% increase, and in 2025, they were asked for a 19.86% increase, cumulating to a 33% increase in two years.

The protest, organised outside a café operated by Bertrand's son, aimed to hold property owners accountable and make landlords face their decisions on a personal level. The goal was to highlight the impact of such rent increases on the lives of tenants.

Maharjan's proposed $300 monthly increase was reduced to zero after the protest. The landlord, despite initially defending the rent increase, now admits that it isn't worth the damage it is doing to his reputation. However, he is disappointed that protestors targeted his son's business, stating it has nothing to do with decisions taken on the rent.

The average price of a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal has risen from just under $1,000 in 2019 to $1,500 this year. Two-bedroom units have increased by $800 a month over the same period. Quebec's housing tribunal suggested an average rent increase of nearly six per cent this year for tenants who pay for their own heating.

Despite the controversy, the protest serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by tenants in the city and the need for a balanced approach to rent increases. It also underscores the importance of communication between landlords and tenants to find fair and sustainable solutions.