Are you a tenant in Quebec and thinking of subletting your home to a roommate for a few months, or offering your apartment on Airbnb during the summer? Please note: almost all standard tenant insurance policies explicitly exclude subletting and tourist accommodation. Without a declaration to your insurer, without a CITQ permit when required, and without the written agreement of your landlord, you take three major risks: denial of compensation, cancellation of the policy and municipal fines of up to $100,000. At Assur360, an independent comparator, the brokers of our partner firms explain your real options — endorsement, specialized hotel policy or risk denial — for Montreal, Quebec City, Mont-Tremblant, Gatineau and Sherbrooke.
SUBLETTING · AIRBNB · QUEBEC 2026
Sublet or Airbnb without losing your insurance
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Check my situation in 3 minutes→WARNING: subletting and Airbnb = standard exclusions
The vast majority of tenant insurance policies in Quebec DO NOT cover long-term subletting or tourist accommodation without prior declaration. A loss that occurs while a subtenant or Airbnb guest is present can result in a total denial of compensation and the retroactive cancellation of your policy. This information is indicative — each insurer applies its own rules. Always have it validated in writing.
Long-term subletting vs Airbnb: 2 different worlds
Before talking about insurance, it is important to understand that in Quebec, classic subletting (one month or more, governed by the Civil Code) and short-term tourist accommodation (such as Airbnb) are two distinct legal realities, subject to completely different rules, taxes and coverage.
Long-term subletting
Duration of one month or more, usually to a student, intern or colleague. The main tenant remains responsible for the lease and becomes a “landlord” for the subtenant. Governed by articles 1870 to 1876 of the Civil Code of Québec.
Written agreement of the owner is mandatory (unless the landlord refuses to do so within 15 days).
Short-term accommodation / Airbnb
Duration of less than 31 consecutive days . Considered a tourist accommodation establishment within the meaning of Quebec law. Requires CITQ permit, landlord agreement, compliance with municipal by-law and collection of GST, QST and lodging tax.
In Montreal, Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant: often prohibited outside designated areas.
Occasional accommodation of a loved one
Receive a parent, a friend or an adult child for a few nights, without financial compensation. Generally tolerated without declaration, but to be checked in your lease and policy.
No rent = no subletting, but civil liability maintained.
What the law says in Quebec
Three legal layers are superimposed: the Civil Code for classic subletting, the Act respecting tourist accommodation establishments for Airbnb, and the municipal by-laws specific to each city. No insurance can compensate for illegal activity.
The Civil Code of Québec and Subletting (Article 1870)
Article 1870 C.C.Q. authorizes any tenant to sublet his dwelling, provided that he notifies the landlord in writing with the name and address of the future subtenant. The landlord has 15 days to refuse, and the refusal must be for a serious reason. If no refusal is made within this period, consent is deemed to have been given. The main tenant remains jointly and severally liable for the damage caused by his subtenant.
The CITQ permit (Act respecting tourist accommodation establishments)
Since September 1, 2023, any Quebecer who wishes to offer their accommodation (or a room) for tourism purposes for less than 31 days must hold a permit issued by the Corporation de l’industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ), display the classification number on each ad and demonstrate their right to occupy the premises for this purpose. Platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking are obliged to remove any non-compliant listing. Fines range from $2,500 to $100,000 per violation.
Municipal by-laws (Montreal, Quebec City, Mont-Tremblant restrictive)
Several Quebec cities impose their own zoning restrictions. In Montreal, short-term tourist accommodation is generally prohibited outside of a few designated commercial arteries. In Quebec City, entire sectors of Old Quebec and Saint-Roch are protected. In Mont-Tremblant, the municipality distinguishes between tourist zones (authorized) and residential zones (prohibited). In Gatineau and Sherbrooke, zoning by-laws and limits on the number of days per year are also in effect. Always check with your borough before submitting your CITQ application.
Always obtain your landlord’s WRITTEN agreement before any subletting
An email is sufficient, but it must identify the subtenant (name, address), the duration, the amount of the rent and the intended use. Without this written agreement, you risk the termination of the lease for misrepresentation and — worse — exclusion from your tenant insurance in the event of a claim. Keep the exchange and attach it to your insurance file when you file the return.
Why your standard renter’s insurance DOES NOT cover Airbnb
A tenant insurance policy is designed to protect a residential and stable occupant. As soon as you welcome paying guests or an undeclared subtenant, the insurer considers that the risk has changed — and coverage automatically jumps. Here are the main technical reasons.
- Commercial use — Renting out one’s home to tourists is considered a commercial activity. All home/tenant policies exclude commercial use without a specific endorsement.
- Transit of unknown third parties — Theft and liability coverage assumes known and identified occupants. An anonymous Airbnb guest breaks this principle.
- Explicit “tourist accommodation” exclusion — Standard 2024-2026 contracts often mention Airbnb, Vrbo, and short-term rentals by name as exclusions.
- Vandalism by transient tenant — “malicious” vandalism by a third party to whom you have entrusted the keys is not a covered loss: it is a commercial risk.
- Damage to the owner’s primary dwelling — If a guest causes a fire or water damage, your RC is not in operation (commercial use) and the owner could turn against you personally.
- Undeclared aggravation of risk — Under article 2466 C.C.Q., the insured must declare any aggravation. Doing Airbnb without informing your insurer is a legal ground for the nullity of the policy.
Insurance solutions for subletting and Airbnb
There are three ways to cover yourself legally, from the least expensive to the most comprehensive. None of them can be taken out online without validation: a broker must analyze your lease, your permit and your profile.
Long-term sublease amendment
Ask your current insurer when the sublease lasts 1 month or more to an identified person. Covers the extended civil liability and appoints the subtenant. Indicative surcharge: $30 to $90 for the term.
Refused by some insurers if more than 6 months.
Hotel / short-term rental policy
Specialized commercial policy for regular Airbnb operators (more than 30 nights/year). Covers property, commercial liability, business interruption and vandalism of travellers. Indicative premium: $800 to $2,500/year.
Requires the CITQ permit and the owner’s agreement.
Airbnb Host Protection / AirCover
Free program provided by Airbnb (up to $3 million in civil liability and $3 million in damages). Does NOT replace insurance: numerous exclusions, low limits for valuables, long payment periods.
Must be combined with a Quebec font.
Case studies — who pays what?
Here are three real-life situations, based on typical cases encountered by the brokers of our partner firms. They illustrate the difference between a statement made and a statement omitted.
Case 1 — Subtenant causing a kitchen fire
Marie sublets her 41/2 in Montreal to an intern for 4 months, with the written agreement of the owner and an endorsement declared to her insurer. The subtenant forgot a pot on the stove: $18,000 in damage. The policy pays the liability to the owner and Mary’s property, minus the deductible. Without the amendment: refusal likely and full invoice to be paid.
Case 2 — Airbnb traveler stealing a laptop
Jean rents out his Quebec City condo on Airbnb without a CITQ permit or endorsement. A traveler disappears with a $3,200 MacBook. Airbnb AirCover refuses (insufficient evidence). The insurer also refuses: undeclared commercial activity + knowingly left to a third party. Deadweight loss for Jean — and risk of a municipal fine.
Case 3 — Water damage during a reported sublease
Sophie sublets her Sherbrooke apartment to a friend during a 3-month internship (amendment in place). The dishwasher leaks and floods the unit below: $12,000. The liability policy responds to the neighbour’s claim, and the property cover covers Sophie’s furniture. Everything is sorted out in 6 weeks.
5-step process
Follow this sequence in order. Skipping one step — especially the written authorization or declaration to the insurer — can invalidate everything else.
Obtain written permission from the owner
Send a written notice (dated email) to the landlord with the subtenant’s name, address, duration and amount of rent. Save his answer. Without an agreement (or silence after 15 days for subletting), no valid insurance.
Apply for the CITQ permit (if Airbnb / short rental)
For any rental of less than 31 days, submit your application on the CITQ portal with proof of occupancy, municipal certificate of zoning compliance and owner’s certificate. Allow 4 to 8 weeks of treatment.
Report the situation to your insurer
Before the first night. Specify the nature (subletting or tourist accommodation), the duration, the number of nights per year and the value of the rent collected. The insurer will issue an endorsement, refuse or refer to a specialized policy.
Purchase the endorsement or a new policy
Receive written confirmation before signing the sublease agreement or posting the ad. Check the exclusions, the RC limit and the deductible. Keep the certificate — it may be required by CITQ or by your landlord.
Sign a clear contract with the subtenant
For a sublease, the official form from the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) is recommended. For Airbnb, the house rules and security deposit must be clear. Ask for identification and note the subtenant’s contact information in your insurance file.
If you do NOT report to the insurer, your policy may be cancelled retroactively
Article 2466 of the Civil Code of Québec allows the insurer to reduce or deny any indemnity — and to cancel the policy retroactively — where the insured has failed to report an aggravation of the risk. In concrete terms: a claim that occurred yesterday, a policy cancelled until the date of your first Airbnb guest, premiums refunded but no compensation. Worse: the next home or car insurance will be labeled “aggravated risk” and can cost double.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use Assur360
Assur360 is an independent comparison site that connects Quebecers with a network of AMF-certified partner firms, supervised by the Chambre de l’assurance. For a request as specific as a sublet or an Airbnb project, shopping alone exposes you to a cascade of refusals.
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An insurance broker from a partner firm will call you back, analyze your lease and licence, and tell you if an endorsement is sufficient or if a hotel policy is required — before you welcome your first subtenant.
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