Lease, deposit, repairs, rent increases, response times: what's the same and what changes when you rent from Imovia or from a private landlord.
In Montréal, most apartments belong to small landlords who manage their own building. Others, like Imovia's, are managed by a team. Both can work very well. Here's what's identical, what changes, and the questions to ask before signing.
What's the same, whoever the landlord is
- The lease: in Quebec, every residential lease uses the mandatory form of the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), with the same rights for every tenant.
- The deposit: a landlord cannot require a security deposit. They can only ask for the first month's rent in advance.
- Rent increases: the same notice periods apply, and an increase can be refused and taken to the TAL, whether the landlord is a person or a company.
- Necessary repairs and keeping the apartment fit to live in are the landlord's obligation in every case.
What changes with a management company
- Someone answers: a team and an emergency number, rather than one person who may be on holiday or unreachable.
- Repairs are tracked: each request becomes a file, with a written record of the date and the fix.
- The process is clear: documents listed in advance, a quick decision, the lease signed online, rent paid by transfer or pre-authorized debit with a receipt.
- The rules are the same for every tenant in the building, written down and given before signing.
What a private landlord can offer
- A direct relationship with the person who decides, sometimes more flexibility on a move-in date or a detail of the apartment.
- An owner-occupant often knows the building and the neighbours very well.
- But everything rests on one person: their availability, how they keep records and how well they know the TAL rules.
Questions to ask before signing, with anyone
- Who do I call for an emergency, at night or on the weekend?
- How do I request a repair, and how do I know it's been fixed?
- What's included in the rent: heating, hot water, appliances, Internet, parking?
- Are pets allowed? The answer should be clear before signing.
- How do I pay the rent, and do I get a receipt?
At Imovia
Imovia manages buildings in nine neighbourhoods across Greater Montréal. Visits are requested online and we call you back the same day, a decision comes within 48 hours of the application, the lease is signed online, and every repair request is followed until it's resolved. Available apartments are on the apartments page, with their inclusions and rent.