Roommates in Montreal

Updated October 4, 2026

Looking for a roommate or a room in Montreal? Ton Coloc matches you on lifestyle (schedule, cleanliness, guests, pets, budget, neighbourhoods) with members whose identity is verified. This guide covers getting around, which neighbourhoods to look at, and what to know before you sign.

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Montreal neighbourhoods

Around Montreal : Laval, North Shore, South Shore.

Getting around

STM metro: 4 lines (Green, Orange, Yellow and Blue). Orange and Green cross downtown; Blue links Côte-des-Neiges, Parc-Extension, Villeray and Saint-Michel; Yellow goes to Longueuil.
REM: the South Shore branch (Brossard ↔ Gare Centrale) has run since 2023 and the Deux-Montagnes branch since November 17, 2025, with metro transfers at McGill (Green) and Édouard-Montpetit (Blue).
exo commuter trains to the North and South Shores, and STM buses across the island (including the 747 to the airport).
BIXI bike share in most central neighbourhoods, in season.

Transit sources: STM, REM, exo. Always check your commute before signing.

The area at a glance

Montreal is a city of renters: lots of duplexes and triplexes (the classic "plexes" with outdoor staircases) and apartments named by room count. A 4½ has two bedrooms, a 5½ three; the "½" is the bathroom. Sharing is common among students and young professionals alike.

The big campuses (McGill, Concordia, UQAM and ÉTS downtown; Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal and Polytechnique in Côte-des-Neiges) drive demand around the September and January terms, on top of July 1.

When picking a neighbourhood, start with your commute: being within walking distance of a metro or REM station makes a big difference in winter.

How Ton Coloc works

Questionnaire: what you're looking for (a room, a roommate, a room to offer), your areas, budget and lifestyle.
Account and one-time payment, no subscription (see pricing).
Identity check (about 2 minutes, via Stripe Identity) to see your matches and send messages.
Built-in messaging: your email and phone number are never shown to other members.

Tips for renting in Quebec

No deposits. In Quebec, a landlord may only ask for the first month's rent in advance. A security deposit or any other sum is not allowed, nor are post-dated cheques (Civil Code art. 1904). Someone asking for a transfer to "hold" a room before you visit? That's a classic scam signal.
July 1. Most Quebec leases end June 30, so July 1 is the big moving day. Start looking in spring and book a truck or movers early.
The TAL lease. The Tribunal administratif du logement lease form is mandatory for every new lease, even for a room. Between roommates, liability is joint (each pays their share) unless a solidarity clause is written in; see the TAL's joint tenancy page and its roommate agreement (French PDF).
Lease assignment and subletting. To leave mid-lease, you can propose an assignment (cession) or a sublet. The landlord has 15 days to answer; since February 21, 2024, if they refuse an assignment without a serious reason, the lease ends on the date you gave. Details and templates on the TAL page.
Visits and identity. Visit before paying, meet your future roommates and keep your exchanges in writing. On Ton Coloc, every member's identity is verified (photo ID + selfie, via Stripe Identity) before they can see matches and send messages. It isn't a background check, so do your own checks too.

FAQ

Which Montreal neighbourhoods are popular for sharing?

Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Villeray, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Verdun and Côte-des-Neiges (near Université de Montréal) are common picks. Each one has its own page below with metro lines and local tips.

Can I search across the island and the suburbs?

Yes. In the questionnaire you can pick several areas, including Laval, the North Shore and the South Shore. Matching takes your areas, budget and lifestyle into account.

How do I avoid rental scams in Montreal?

Visit before paying anything, never send an Interac transfer to "hold" a room, and be wary of rents that look too good to be true. On Ton Coloc, members verify their identity before they can see matches and send messages.

Nearby areas

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