If you've been browsing apartments on Rentack or any Quebec rental platform, you've probably seen listings described as "all-inclusive" or "tout inclus." It sounds straightforward — but the term has no single legal definition in Quebec, and what's included can vary widely from one unit to the next.
Here's how to read these listings properly, so there are no surprises after you sign your lease.
What "All-Inclusive" Usually Means in Quebec
In Quebec, the most common interpretation of "all-inclusive" (tout inclus) is that heat and hot water are included in the rent. These are the two utilities most commonly bundled into a flat monthly rate in Quebec apartments — especially in older buildings with central heating systems where individual metering isn't practical.
Many listings that describe themselves as all-inclusive are referring to exactly this and nothing more. You pay one monthly amount and you don't receive a separate bill for heating or hot water.
What "All-Inclusive" Might Also Include
Some landlords use the term more broadly. Depending on the building and landlord, an all-inclusive apartment in Quebec may also cover:
- Electricity (hydro) — less common, but not rare in smaller units
- Parking — sometimes bundled, often listed separately
- Internet — occasionally included in newer buildings or furnished units
- Laundry — in-building facilities may or may not be included
The critical rule: don't assume. Always verify exactly what is included in writing before signing.
What Is Almost Never Included
The following are rarely part of an all-inclusive Quebec rental, even when a landlord uses that term:
- Your personal electricity bill (if the unit is individually metered)
- Cable television
- Phone service
- Renters or tenant insurance
- Contents of a storage locker or garage (unless explicitly listed)
Why "All-Inclusive" Matters for Your Budget
If heat and hot water are included in your rent, you can budget with predictability — which is particularly valuable during Quebec winters, when heating costs in an older apartment can add $100 to $200 or more per month.
On the other hand, if you're comparing two apartments at similar rents and one is all-inclusive (heat/hot water included) while the other is not, the actual cost difference can be significant — especially for 4½ and 5½ units in older Montreal or Quebec City buildings.
What Quebec Law Says
Under the Civil Code of Québec, the services included in a rental must be specified in the lease. The official Quebec lease form — the Bail obligatoire issued by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) — has a dedicated section where the landlord must list exactly which services and appliances are included.
Before signing, review Section C of your Quebec lease carefully. If your landlord told you verbally that heat is included but it isn't written in the lease, the written lease controls. Verbal promises that contradict the written agreement are extremely difficult to enforce.
Tips for Renters
- Ask for a written list of exactly what "tout inclus" covers before you sign
- Check Section C of the official TAL lease form after it's filled out
- Compare net costs, not just rent amounts, when evaluating listings
- Be aware that "hydro inclus" specifically means electricity is included — a more precise and more valuable term than "tout inclus" on its own
Browse apartments across Quebec — with clear listings that show exactly what's included — at Rentack.com.
Sources: Civil Code of Québec, Book V; Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) — tal.gouv.qc.ca; Official Quebec Residential Lease Form (Bail obligatoire)
