Moving Day on July 1 in Montreal - How to prepare

July 1st is a significant day in Quebec. Not only is it Canada Day, but it is also the traditional moving day throughout the province. Here's everything you need to know about this day and how to prepare if you are moving on this date!

What is Moving Day?

In Quebec, most leases end on June 30, resulting in many people relocating on this date. The simultaneous end of rental contracts results in a larger number of available accommodations on July 1. Tenants thus have a broader choice than at other times of the year. This tradition, unique to Quebec, has been deeply rooted in the province's customs and culture for several decades.

Impact on buyers and tenants

This broader range of options applies to both rental properties and homes for sale, as many owners choose to list their homes during the summer. However, increased demand makes finding a new home more challenging and competitive.

“It’s essential for tenants to conduct their research beforehand so they have a wider range of housing options available, rather than just relying on listings that appear online in the summer, which tend to be very expensive,” says Philippe Simard, Mortgage Director for Quebec at Ratehub.ca. “Buyers should also plan ahead; as July 1 approaches, banks and notaries get busier, resulting in longer processing times and limited availability.”

Challenges of Moving Day

Of course, a high volume of moves happening simultaneously can create several challenges:

• Roads are often congested with moving trucks, making it difficult to navigate by car.
• Finding an available moving company can be challenging, as they are in high demand and often booked well in advance.
• Due to the increased demand, moving companies may have less flexible schedules than during the off-season, and prices can be significantly higher, sometimes reaching 250% or more.

A declining trend

Although July 1st remains a popular end date for leases, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of people moving on that day in recent years. Since 1974, leases can end at any time of the year, and changes often occur over several days, particularly due to an increase in evictions. Additionally, tenants are increasingly negotiating with their landlords to arrange moves at different times.

Rising property prices, both for renting and buying, along with higher mortgage rates, have also contributed to the decrease in the frequency of moves. According to the Institut de la statistique du Québec, the number of moves has reached a historic low in the province. In 2023, approximately 658,000 people changed addresses, which represents 7.8% of the population, compared to 10.3% four years earlier. With a shortage of affordable housing, moving day is expected to be less busy this year.

Apartment turnover rate in Quebec

Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Rental Market Survey

Helpful tips when moving in Quebec

Despite the declining trend, July 1 remains a busy moving day in Quebec. Here are some practical tips to minimize congestion and frustration during your move:

• Negotiate with your landlord: Consider discussing with your landlord to adjust your moving date, as this can help avoid the chaos and increased rates charged by removal companies. 
• Compare offers: Get quotes from at least three moving companies to find the best price. If you must move on July 1 but want to save money, consider asking friends for help. 
• Prepare in advance: Sort through your belongings ahead of time. This is a great opportunity to declutter and sell items you no longer need. Additionally, start moving early to avoid traffic jams.
• Keep your valuables close: In the midst of moving chaos, it's easy to misplace important items. Keep your valuables with you.
• Change your addresses early: Notify the post office, tax agencies, utility companies, insurance companies, family, and friends of your new address well ahead of your move.
• Seek assistance if needed: In the event of a mishap or dispute, even though 1 July is a public holiday, the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) will be available to answer calls during the day.

By following these tips, you can make your moving experience on July 1 much smoother and less stressful.

Also read:

• Montreal's real market booms despite rising prices
• Canadian CPI comes in at 1.7% in April as energy prices plunge
• Lower home prices in April improved affordability in over half of Canada’s markets