A Guide to Moving Day in Quebec

Origins of Moving Day

The notion of Moving Day goes back to 18th-century New France, when May 1 was set as the beginning date for all leases. This was designed to prevent the seigneurs (landowners) of the time from evicting farmers during the harsh winter months.¹

This stipulation remained in the Civil Code of Quebec until 1973, when the provincial government passed a new law that no longer required leases to start on a particular date. As a transitional measure, existing leases were extended by two months to June 30, 1974, with Moving Day now taking place on July 1.²

These changes allowed families with children to avoid disruption during the school year, and workers to move without having to take a day off. Despite these changes, the tradition of one-year leases and the July 1 moving day has held.¹

Moving Day and the Quebec housing crisis

While July 1 is still a busy day for moving in Quebec, some moving companies are noticing that more people are changing address on other dates. Pierre-Oliver Cyr, co-owner of Clan Panneton, which operates in Montreal and Quebec City, observed that more clients were booking dates before and after July 1 to avoid the premium people pay to move on Canada Day. Valérie Saint-Amour, who runs Déménagement Puissance, also in Montreal, confirmed this trend and added that fewer people are moving because of the housing crisis in the province.⁴

More specifically, lower vacancy rates and higher rents mean that more Quebecers are thinking twice about moving. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), vacancy rates for the purpose-built rental market in the province reached a 20-year low in 2023. In Montreal, the vacancy rate was 1.5%, while the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,096, an increase of 7.9%. In Quebec City, the vacancy figure was 0.9% and the average rent was $1,040 (up 4.8%).⁵

Preparing for Moving Day

Montreal is the epicentre of Moving Day in Quebec. City residents have become used to the annual sight of furniture piled up on sidewalks and streets clogged with moving vans. In this section, we have prepared some tips that will help you navigate what can be a chaotic experience, whether you live in Montreal or elsewhere in the province.

1. Try to avoid moving on July 1

Since the July 1 moving date has not been a legal requirement since 1974, you can negotiate a different lease end date to avoid the crunch. Even if your lease ends on June 30^th, you can still negotiate an earlier departure date with your landlord.

It is also important to remember that July 1 is the busiest day of the year for moving companies in Quebec. Movers and moving vans are in high demand, and hourly rates go up considerably, so it will cost you more to move on that day.⁶

2. Start your apartment search early

You should start your property search 6 months ahead of time. As mentioned earlier, rental vacancies are low in Quebec, so finding a new property to rent will not be as straightforward as in the past. You also need to inform your landlord that you will not renew your lease. For more information on renting a home, check out our article how to find a home to rent.

3. Arrange your move

About 3 to 4 months before the big day, book your moving service or line up friends or family to help you with your move. If you are using professionals, do some research and get multiple quotes.

Take care of any minor repairs that may be necessary. Remember that by law, you must leave the rental unit in the same state in which you found it. For more information on your duties as a renter, check out our article about tenant responsibilities in Quebec.

One month before your move, gather supplies such as boxes and packing tape. Pack up your belongings and take the opportunity to dispose of any items you no longer need or want.

One week before your move, make sure you change your address, set up utilities at the new property, coordinate moving times with new tenants, arrange for child and/or pet care, and reserve or confirm parking spots if necessary — in Montreal, with its narrow streets and limited space, parking is at a premium. Also, don’t forget to transfer your tenant insurance to the new address.

Our article about tips and tricks for moving offers plenty of information on preparing your move.

The day of the move

After all your diligent preparation, it’s showtime! Here are some tips to help you navigate the chaos of July 1.

1. Be considerate of others.

Moving Day can be a stressful time, so be kind to fellow movers and even lend a hand if they need some help. Don’t forget about your neighbours who are staying put. A lot of buildings in Montreal have small elevators and stairwells, so try to avoid cluttering these spaces with your boxes and belongings.

2. Prepare for hot weather.

Another potential challenge on the day is the weather. If you are moving your belongings on your own with friends or family, make sure you and your helpers stay hydrated. Keep a cooler on hand with cold drinks to help beat the heat.⁷

Commonly asked questions

In light of the housing crisis, what recourse do I have if I don’t find a new property by the end of my lease?

According to the housing advocacy organization Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU), approximately 1,300 households in Quebec were homeless as of July 1, 2024.

In Montreal, the municipal housing office, the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal (OMHM), helped 244 households find a rental property, and 38 tenants find temporary accommodation in the first half of 2024.

The OMHM recommends tenants call 311 if they risk becoming homeless.⁸

In Quebec, when am I legally required to notify my landlord that I’m moving out?

The deadline to send the notice of non-renewal to your landlord varies according to the term of your lease:

• 12 months or more: 3 to 6 months before the end of the lease
• Fewer than 12 months: 1 to 2 months before the end of the lease
• Indeterminate term: 1 month before your departure if you pay a monthly rent

For example, for a one-year lease ending on June 30, you must send the notice to your landlord between January 1 and March 31.⁹

Is Moving Day in Quebec an official public holiday?

No. Moving Day is a long-standing tradition in Quebec, but it does not have any official status. However, it does fall on Canada Day, which is a statutory holiday. This is particularly useful for those moving on July 1, as they don’t need to take time off from work.

Sources

1. “Moving Day (Quebec).” en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Day_(Quebec). Accessed 27th, May 2025.
2. Patterson, Jessica. “Quebec Moving Day.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 23 Apr. 2024, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/quebec-moving-day.
3. The Canadian Press. “Fewer Quebecers changing addresses on July 1, say movers.” CTV News, 29 Jun. 2024, www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/fewer-quebecers-changing-addresses-on-july-1-say-movers/.
4. CMHC. “Rental Market Report – January 2024.” CMHC, www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/-/media/sites/cmhc/professional/housing-markets-data-and-research/market-reports/rental-market-report/rental-market-report-2023-en.pdf. Accessed 28 May, 2024.
5. “All About the Moving Day in Quebec.” gvota.ca, www.gvota.ca/en/blog/moving-day-in-quebec/. Accessed 28 May, 2024.
6. Scibetta, Mackenzie. “The Ins and Outs of Moving Day in Quebec.” MovingHelp, 26 Mar. 2025, www.movinghelp.com/move/moving-day-in-quebec.
7. Laframboise, Kalina. “‘Bleak picture’: Quebec moving day sees scores of renters still hunting for new home.” Global News, 1 Jul. 2024, globalnews.ca/news/10598260/quebec-moving-day-2024/.
8. “Comment déménager avant la fin du bail en cas de divorce ou de séparation?” JuridiQC, juridiqc.gouv.qc.ca/en/separation-and-divorce/home-property-money/family-home/moving-before-the-lease-ends-in-the-event-of-divorce-or-separation. Accessed 28 May, 2025.
9. “Renewal of the lease and fixing of rent.” Tribunal administratif du logement, www.tal.gouv.qc.ca/en/renewal-of-the-lease-and-fixing-of-rent/changing-a-condition-of-the-lease. Accessed 28 May, 2025.

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