Imagine going to work without any traffic jams. Or being able to enjoy walks in nature just a few minutes from home, every day. In Saguenay, this reality could be yours. Living in Saguenay means having the opportunity to realize your full potential in an environment where everyday simplicity exists in perfect harmony with safety and well-being. Doesn’t that sound like the dream? Read our blog post to discover all the good reasons to choose Saguenay as your new home!
Why choose Saguenay?
With its perfect balance between urban life and nature, Saguenay is the ideal location to reconcile your work and personal life in a way that suits your needs and passions.
In addition, the average cost of housing is generally lower than in large urban centres.
You can’t go wrong when you choose Saguenay! If you’re not yet completely convinced, we encourage you to read the article Why You Should Choose to Settle in Saguenay.
Renting your first home in Saguenay
Finding accommodation
Before you start looking for accommodation on classified ad sites, it’s important to clearly define your needs.
You first need to take into account the different factors that can influence the cost of rent: sharing costs with roommates, the number of rooms in the apartment or house, its geographic location, proximity to services, date of construction or renovation of the accommodation, as well as amenities such as furniture, heating, electricity or internet. Your research will be more effective if you already have an idea of your budget and your needs!
Once your criteria are established, you can start your search. Many accommodations are posted on classified ad sites and on social networks. But not all accommodations appear online: if you’re already in Saguenay, walk around different areas and you’ll spot “For Rent” signs on buildings. Word of mouth also works very well, so don’t hesitate to talk to those around you!
Once you find a place you like, contact the owner to ask questions and schedule a viewing. Don’t neglect this important step: it can save you a lot of inconvenience! After the visit, if you like the accommodation, you’ll finally be able to sign the lease.
Here are some resources to find the house or apartment that’ll suit you best:Rental Saguenay, LesPAC (classifieds), Kijiji (classifieds), Marketplace (Facebook).
1 1/2, 2 1/2, 3 1/2: what does it all mean?
Basement, semi-basement, heated, unheated: if these terms are new to you, it can be difficult to figure out! Here’s a useful little glossary to help you understand things better.
Did you know that in Quebec, we classify apartments based on the number of rooms they have? For example, a 3 1/2 will have three rooms (a bedroom, a living room and a kitchen). And the “1/2”? That refers to the bathroom, which is counted as a half room. If you are more familiar with the terms T1, T2 and T3, know that a T3 (so a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom) is called a 4 1/2 here.
The location of the apartment within the building can also influence the cost of rent. For example, a home located on the first or second floor will cost more than a basement or a semi-basement (garden level), an accommodation located in the basement of a building, but which has windows and part of which is above ground level.
Accommodations can be furnished, semi-furnished or unfurnished. In a furnished apartment, all necessary furniture is included, while a semi-furnished apartment will include the stove and refrigerator, but not all furniture. On the other hand, in an unfurnished apartment, you’ll have to get your own furniture. In general, a furnished apartment will cost more.
Also note that not all accommodations have the necessary inputs to connect a washer and dryer. Some buildings offer a shared laundry room instead.
Finally, most advertisements will specify whether the cost of rent includes expenses related to heating and electricity (accommodation heated and lit or not). Good to know: Hydro-Québec is the main supplier of hydroelectricity throughout the province. However, the district of Jonquière has its own distribution network that was created in the 1920s: Hydro-Jonquière! If you settle in this area, you may have to pay your electricity bill to Hydro-Jonquière rather than Hydro-Québec.
The lease
When renting an apartment, you will have to sign a lease, a contract that binds the landlord and the tenant. The lease stipulates that in exchange for payment of rent, the tenant peacefully enjoys the premises. This signature has legal implications, which is why it is essential to read the lease carefully and understand all the clauses!
Before signing this document, the landlord may ask you for some information, including your full name, your current address, contact details of previous landlords as a reference and your authorization to conduct a credit check. Be careful, however: according to the law, they cannot ask you for your social insurance number (SIN), your driver’s licence number, your health insurance number (RAMQ), a deposit (guarantee) or to pay several months in advance.
Responsibilities of tenants and landlords
As a tenant, in addition to signing the lease, you have to take on other responsibilities in order to keep your accommodation. First of all, you must keep it in good condition and not do any major renovations (you’ll have to return it to the condition in which you received it when you move out). You must also make sure not to disturb the peace or the lives of other tenants, in particular avoid making excessive noise (whether from people, animals or activities).
That said, your landlord also has obligations, including providing an accommodation that is in good order and carrying out necessary repairs. What’s more, they cannot increase the rent without prior notice or outside the dates provided for this purpose.
To better understand your rights as a tenant, you can visit the Éducaloi website
Moving
In Quebec, the majority of accommodations for rent or sale become available on July 1. This is a key date to remember: every year on this day, at least 200,000 tenants move out. However, you can search for an apartment or a house all year round since some accommodations become available before or after July 1.
Also, if you want to hire movers to help you out, call them in advance, because they’ll be very busy!
Home insurance
Whether you live in an apartment or a house, it is essential, and even mandatory, to be well insured. In the event of a disaster, theft or something else, tenant’s insurance allows you to receive financial or material compensation for lost or broken property.
A little advice: take time to shop around for your home insurance, because premiums vary depending on the insurer!
Housing assistance
If you need a little help paying your rent, there are programs you may be eligible for. Please note, however, that these programs are not accessible to everyone; eligibility may vary depending on your case or type of visa:
- Shelter allowance program :Financial assistance for eligible people who spend too much of their income on housing.
- Low-rental housing(HLM): HLMs are aimed at eligible low-income households.
- Rent supplement :this program is aimed at low-income households who live in housing owned by the private sector, a housing cooperative or a non-profit organization. Beneficiaries pay rent similar to that of HLMs.
Animals in apartments
Are you moving in with a puppy, kitten or other small pets? It can be difficult to find accommodation when you own a pet. Owners have the right, barring exceptions, to refuse animals in the lease. And, even when they are accepted, conditions are imposed.
Also note that any person who has a dog or cat within the limits of the Ville de Saguenay must obtain a licence for this animal each year from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Saguenay.
In Quebec, housing discrimination is prohibited!
Did you know that a landlord cannot refuse the rental of accommodation for reasons provided in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms? To find out more about this issue, you canRead this Educaloi article.
Other useful resources for finding accommodation
The page Settling in Saguenay is full of useful information to make your move easier. Moreover, theTribunal administratif du logementis the authority you can consult for requests relating to a housing lease.
Buying your first house in Saguenay
Do you dream of owning your own house? In Saguenay, it’s possible! Not only is the median cost of purchasing a house lower than in large city centres (CAD 255,000 in Saguenay compared to CAD 555,000 in Montreal or CAD 420,000 in Quebec, source: APCIQ 2023), but it’s also estimated that it will take approximately 2.7 years for a young couple between the age of 25 and 34 to save up the minimum down payment to buy a house (source: FCIQ). Seems reasonable, right?
To find your dream property, you can take the steps yourself or work with a real estate broker. These professionals can support you and take care of the various administrative procedures. It’s up to you to assess the best option based on your situation and your knowledge!
To look for a house, you can search online at Centris and Duproprio.