Quick answer: Montreal’s moving day is 1 July: the Tribunal administratif du logement says most Quebec leases end on 30 June, so a huge share of the city moves at once. Book early and keep any deposit small. To reserve street space for a moving truck you may need a temporary public-domain occupation permit from your borough; if you use a professional mover, some boroughs require the permit in the mover’s name. Only official no-parking signs rented from a specialist firm are allowed, installed 12 to 14 hours ahead. Fees vary by borough, from free to a minimum of $43 or $60.
1 July: what the lease rules mean for your move
The Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), Quebec’s housing tribunal, explains why so many Montrealers move on the same day: most leases in Quebec end on 30 June. Its July 1 guidance says:
- The new tenant’s right to occupy the home begins on the first day of the lease.
- The outgoing tenant has no “grace period” to vacate and remove belongings.
- If the old tenant’s move is not finished when the new occupant arrives, the old tenant must give the new tenant access.
So your move-out and move-in are fixed to the same day, with no legal buffer if the mover runs late. Ask each mover how many jobs it has booked that day.
Parking a moving truck: Montreal’s borough permits
The City of Montreal’s page on parking a moving truck says a permit may be needed to reserve space, and that the rules are set borough by borough. Across the boroughs it lists, the common pattern is:
| Situation | Permit needed? |
|---|---|
| You use free, legal parking spaces and do not ban other drivers from parking | Usually no; you can agree with neighbours to leave space for the truck |
| You want to ban parking with no-parking signs | Yes |
| Your street has parking meters | Yes in most boroughs; some bill separately for covering meters and lost parking revenue |
| The truck blocks the sidewalk or a cycle lane | Yes |
| You hire a moving company | In several boroughs, yes, and the permit must be in the mover’s name |
Two rules apply everywhere the City lists them. Only official no-parking signs rented from a specialist company are allowed, and you must install them yourself 12 to 14 hours before the occupation. Once they are up, you tell the Agence de mobilité durable through an online form.
Fees vary. The City’s page shows the permit free of charge in at least one borough (the system bills a fee that is then cancelled when the permit is issued), a minimum of $43 including taxes in another, and a minimum of $60 including taxes in another, with extra charges for the space, meters and number of days. In Lachine, fees depend on the length of sidewalk or roadway occupied. Processing time ranges from 24 hours to five working days depending on the borough, so apply well before 1 July. Select your borough on the City’s page to see your exact rules.
Your rights in Quebec: the Office de la protection du consommateur
The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) publishes a moving advice sheet. Its main points:
| OPC advice | Why it matters in Montreal |
|---|---|
| Check the mover has basic insurance for the goods moved and civil liability insurance of at least $1 million | Staircases and narrow Plateau-style entrances make damage to property more likely |
| If it uses a heavy vehicle, check it is on the Commission des transports du Québec register of heavy vehicle owners and operators | A quick way to confirm you are dealing with a real operator |
| Pay no deposit, or a very small one; if asked to pay more than 2 months ahead, check the mover has a trust account and make the cheque out to the company “in trust” | July bookings are often made months ahead; a trust account protects you if the firm closes |
| A contract made by phone or online must be sent to you in writing within 15 days | Keep it; it is your proof of the agreed price |
| There is no general 10-day right to change your mind after signing, contrary to popular belief | Don’t sign until you are sure |
The OPC also says a mover cannot demand more than the contract price. If it invoices unexpected charges, you can pay “under protest”, noted on the cheque or invoice, then send a formal notice claiming the overpayment.
Typical moving prices
Start with the national ranges in our Canada moving costs guide. HomeStars, updated August 2026, says most companies charge $120 to $200 an hour for a two-person crew with a truck, and puts a local one-bedroom apartment move at $300 to $900 and a three-bedroom house at $900 to $1,600. It also warns that summer and month-end moves can push rates up sharply, sometimes to double the standard hourly rate. All figures are in Canadian dollars and were checked in September 2026. We did not find a Montreal-specific price survey with enough data to quote. Expect the late-June and 1 July peak to be the most expensive time to book.
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How to choose a mover in Montreal
- Book early for 1 July, but follow the OPC’s deposit advice: little or nothing up front, and a trust account for payments more than two months ahead.
- Ask who gets the parking permit. In boroughs where a mover must hold the permit in its own name, the mover should apply; confirm that it has.
- Check insurance and the CTQ register. Ask for proof of at least $1 million civil liability cover.
- Get everything in writing, including every promise the mover makes. See how to spot booking red flags.
Moving companies in Montreal
These firms appear in public business listings for Montreal, taken from a Google Places search in September 2026. We have not checked their insurance, CAM membership, prices or work, and they have not paid to appear. Check any firm yourself before you book.
Déménagement Total
Area: LaSalle (Rue Quinlan)
Website: demenagement-total.ca
Listed from public information · not a partnerMovinGo Déménagement
Area: Le Sud-Ouest (Rue Saint-Patrick)
Website: movingo.ca
Listed from public information · not a partnerBust a Move Moving
Area: Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Rue Saint-Jacques)
Website: bustamovemoving.com
Listed from public information · not a partnerDéménagement Alex
Area: Saint-Léonard (Rue du Creusot)
Website: demenagement-alex.ca
Listed from public information · not a partnerDéménagement Le Clan Panneton
Area: Pointe-Saint-Charles (Rue Mullins)
Website: demenagementleclanpanneton.com
Listed from public information · not a partnerHarmony Movers
Area: Lachine (55e Avenue)
Website: harmonymovers.com
Listed from public information · not a partnerDiscount Moving
Area: Ahuntsic-Cartierville (Rue Filion)
Website: discountmoving.ca
Listed from public information · not a partnerThe Canadian Association of Movers and the federal advice
Movers are not licensed at federal level. The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), the industry trade body, says the industry was deregulated in the mid-1980s and each province governs the carriage of household goods separately. The federal Office of Consumer Affairs suggests getting estimates from at least three movers and checking whether each is CAM-certified; making sure the mover sees everything before it quotes; checking whether you are dealing with a broker who sub-contracts the job; and knowing that without replacement value protection, the mover is generally liable for only $0.60 per pound ($1.32 per kg) per item. CAM’s warning signs are no physical address, cash-only payment, no written promises and no visual survey of your home.
Moving to or from Montreal across the border
If you are moving to Canada to live, or returning after a year or more abroad, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) rules decide whether your household goods come in duty- and tax-free. CBSA says to prepare two copies of a list of everything you are bringing, with values and serial numbers, split into goods with you and goods to follow; later shipments only qualify if they are on that list. You hand the list over at your first point of entry, even with nothing in hand, and the officer completes form BSF186, which you need to clear the shipment. Returning former residents must have owned and used the goods abroad for at least six months, and any single item worth over $10,000 is taxed on the excess. Our guide to preparing your goods-to-follow list for Canada covers the paperwork.
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Common questions
Why does everyone in Montreal move on 1 July?
The Tribunal administratif du logement says most Quebec leases end on 30 June, so moves cluster on 1 July. The new tenant’s right to occupy starts on the first day of the lease, and the outgoing tenant has no grace period.
Do I need a permit to park a moving truck in Montreal?
It depends on your borough and what you do. You generally need a permit to ban parking with signs, on metered streets, or if the truck blocks a sidewalk or cycle lane. Several boroughs require one whenever you use a professional mover, in the mover’s name.
How much does a Montreal moving-truck permit cost?
It varies by borough: free in at least one, a minimum of $43 or $60 including taxes in others, plus charges for meters, space and days. Check your borough on the City of Montreal’s page.
Should I pay a deposit to book a 1 July move?
The OPC advises paying nothing or a very small amount. If a mover wants payment more than two months ahead, check it has a trust account and pay it “in trust”.
What if the mover charges more than agreed?
The OPC says a mover cannot demand more than the contract price. You can pay under protest and then send a formal notice to claim the overpayment.
Sources
- July 1 – Moving Day, Tribunal administratif du logement (tal.gouv.qc.ca)
- Stationner un camion de déménagement, updated 1 June 2026, Ville de Montréal (montreal.ca)
- Fiche-conseil : déménagement, Office de la protection du consommateur (opc.gouv.qc.ca)
- Moving: unexpected charges, Office de la protection du consommateur (opc.gouv.qc.ca)
- Moving Costs in Canada (Updated for 2026), updated 21 August 2026 (homestars.com)
- Moving advice, Office of Consumer Affairs, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ised-isde.canada.ca)
- Choosing a Mover, Canadian Association of Movers (mover.net)
- Acts & Regulations, Canadian Association of Movers (mover.net)
- Moving or returning to Canada, Canada Border Services Agency (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca)
Last checked: September 2026. City fees and provincial rules change, so confirm the current position with the city or regulator before you rely on it.